Pack Knocks Off 18th-Ranked Clemson in OT

Tuesday, January 20

Clemson, SC

7 PM

NC State

13-6,4-2ACC

Clemson

16-4,6-1ACC

OT 1

NC State

Clemson

1/20/2026 10:07:00 PM | Men's Basketball

Box Score

CLEMSON, S.C. – The NC State men's basketball (13-6, 4-2 ACC) secured its first ranked win of the Will Wade era on Tuesday night as the Pack handed 18^th-ranked Clemson (16-4, 6-1 ACC) its first conference loss with an 80-76 overtime win at Littlejohn Coliseum.

Ven-Allen Lubin led all scorers with 22 points as the ACC's field goal percentage leader finished the game 9-of-12 from the field and made all four of his free throw attempts.

Darrion Williams added 17 points, six rebounds and three assists while Quadir Copeland chipped in 16 points, a game-high six assists and had two steals.

Paul McNeil, Jr., was the final NC State player in double figures with 10 points.

NC State took control of the game in the first half with a 19-5 run to turn an 18-14 deficit into a 33-23 lead with 3:59 left in the opening period. The Pack's defense held the Tigers to just two made field goals over 10 minutes of game time during its extended run.

The Pack's lead was as large as 11 in the final four minutes of the half and was still a 38-28 advantage with 1:04 remaining in the period, but the Tigers scored the final five points of the half to cut NC State's lead to five, 38-33, at the break.

NC State was never able to get its lead back to double digits in the second half, but the Pack stayed in front for the majority of the period. The Tigers cut the deficit to one possession multiple times, but NC State had an answer every time.

Clemson finally tied the game at 67 with three minutes to go on two free throws. Neither team would score almost two minutes after the Tigers tied the game until RJ Godfrey made a basket with 1:12 remaining to give Clemson a 69-67 lead. It was the first Clemson lead since it was 18-16 with 12:31 left in the first half.

On the Pack's next possession, Williams was fouled on a drive to the basket and tied the game at 69 and both teams came up empty on their final possessions of the game to send the game to overtime.

In overtime, Clemson struck first, but Copeland had an immediate response for NC State to tie the game again at 71. The Tigers again jumped in front with one free throw, but on the Pack's next possession Copeland found Williams in the corner for a three-pointer to give NC State a lead it would never relinquish.

Clemson would not score on its next two possessions and the Pack was able to extend its lead when Williams found Lubin down low for a dunk to give NC State a 76-72 lead with 1:11 to go. Clemson would get to the foul line on both of its next possessions, but would split the free throws on both trips to the line to only cut NC State's lead to two, 76-74, with 19 seconds to play.

Lubin calmly stepped to the line with 18 seconds to play and made two free throws to double the Pack's lead and then NC State's defense forced a turnover to get the ball back. Another quick Clemson foul sent Matt Able to the free throw line and he made both attempts to give NC State an 80-74 lead with 10 seconds to go.

Clemson look for a quick three on its next possession, but the Tigers three-point attempt was off the mark and the rebound was knocked around costing Clemson crucial seconds until Clemson finally got a put back attempt to go at the buzzer.

The win over a ranked opponent on the road was the first for NC State since beating No. 21 Virginia, 68-61, in Charlottesville on Feb. 24, 2021.

NC State finished the game 22-of-25 from the foul line, including going a combined 20-for-22 in the second half and overtime.

Clemson came into the game leading the ACC in fewest turnovers per game, but the Pack forced the Tigers into 13 turnovers and finished the game with a 19-6 advantage in points off turnovers.

NC State, which has started the conference slate 3-0 in road games, is back in action Saturday when it plays at Pitt. Tipoff against the Panthers is scheduled for noon and the game will be televised on ESPN2.