CHARLESTON, S.C. (Interstat) — In a dramatic comeback fueled by a dominant second-half performance, the Clemson Tigers erased a 14-point halftime deficit to defeat the West Virginia Mountaineers 70-67 in a non-conference men’s basketball game Friday night at TD Arena.

A sluggish first half saw the Tigers struggle to find any offensive rhythm, managing only 25 points and trailing the Mountaineers by seven at the break. The narrative flipped completely after halftime, as Clemson exploded for 45 points, methodically chipping away at the West Virginia lead before securing the victory in the final seconds.

The game was ultimately decided at the free-throw line in the waning moments. With the score tied and just 12 seconds remaining, Clemson’s Carter Welling was fouled and sent to the line. The 6-foot-10 sophomore from Draper, Utah, calmly sank both free throws to put the Tigers ahead for good. West Virginia’s ensuing possession ended in a turnover, and Welling was fouled again, hitting two more free throws to seal the three-point win.

West Virginia guard Honor Huff led all scorers with 17 points in a losing effort, showcasing his range with multiple three-pointers. Teammates Jasper Floyd and Chance Moore provided significant support, adding 14 and 16 points, respectively. Moore also contributed two crucial blocks on the defensive end.

Clemson’s victory was a testament to its balanced scoring attack. RJ Godfrey came off the bench to provide a massive spark for the Tigers, recording a team-high 14 points to go with three assists and three blocks. His energy in the paint was instrumental in the second-half surge. He was one of five Clemson players to score in double figures, joined by Jestin Porter and Dillon Hunter with 14 points each, Welling with 13, and Efrem Johnson with 11. Hunter also dished out a team-high four assists.

The first half belonged entirely to the Mountaineers. They opened the game on a 5-0 run and never relinquished the lead, building a comfortable 32-25 advantage by halftime. Their defense stifled the Tigers, forcing turnovers and contesting shots effectively. The momentum, however, shifted decisively as soon as the second half began.

Clemson emerged from the locker room with renewed purpose, immediately going on a run to close the gap. The Tigers’ offense, which had looked anemic before the break, began to click, finding easy baskets inside and capitalizing on West Virginia miscues. The Mountaineers, who had been so poised in the first half, saw their offense become disjointed under Clemson’s intensified defensive pressure.

The game tightened into a back-and-forth affair down the stretch, with neither team able to build more than a one-possession lead in the final five minutes. Missed opportunities and key defensive stops characterized the closing sequence until Welling’s composure at the charity stripe ultimately made the difference.

With the win, Clemson improves its season record to 5-1. The Tigers will look to build on this momentum when they host Alabama A&M next Friday. West Virginia, meanwhile, sees its five-game winning streak snapped and falls to 5-1. The Mountaineers will return home to face Mercyhurst on Nov. 30. The game was played before an announced crowd of 4,856 at TD Arena, a neutral site in Charleston.