In Progress: No. 12 UNC Visits No. 24 Clemson

Clemson, SC (Sports Network) - Trevor Booker scored 21 points on 8-of-12 shooting and grabbed nine rebounds, as 24th-ranked Clemson used a strong first half to defeat No. 12 North Carolina, 83-64, at Littlejohn Coliseum.

Demontez Stitt contributed 20 points, while Tanner Smith finished with 14 points, six boards and five steals for the Tigers (14-3, 2-1 ACC), who had lost 10 in a row to the Tar Heels.

Clemson had 33 points off 26 North Carolina turnovers.

“This game was a great team effort, both on the offensive and defensive side of the ball,” said Clemson head coach Oliver Purnell. “Both teams love to push the pace, but we felt like we were the quicker and faster team.”

Dexter Strickland was the lone player in double figures with 17 points for the Tar Heels (12-5, 1-1), who have lost two of three and fell behind by 23 points midway through the first half. North Carolina dropped to 1-5 away from Chapel Hill this season.

“I just coached a poor game tonight,” said North Carolina head coach Roy Williams. “They had a tremendous sense of urgency and tremendous passion.”

Clemson raced out to a 19-6 lead a little over five minutes into the contest, and Smith nailed a three-pointer to make it 35-12. The Tigers held a 50-32 advantage at halftime, but a layup by Larry Drew II drew North Carolina within 68-57 with six minutes remaining.

Unfortunately, the miscues proved too costly for the Tar Heels, who couldn’t whittle the deficit to single digits.

UNC fell to 15-2 against Clemson when both teams are ranked...The Tar Heels still lead the all-time series with Clemson, 122-20...Drew, Will Graves and Leslie McDonald each had nine points for the Tar Heels...North Carolina forward Tyler Zeller missed the game with a right foot injury...Both clubs are in action on Saturday. Clemson visits NC State, while the Tar Heels return home to welcome Georgia Tech.