CLEMSON, S.C. -- The Illini had looked left for dead at halftime, destined to get blown out of Littlejohn Coliseum. But the Illini showed remarkable resiliency in the second half, erasing a 23-point deficit and winning 76-74.
Demontez Stitt's drive to the hoop with time running out missed and Clemson could not get another shot off as the Illinois stopped their two-game losing streak.
Mike Tisdale provided the go-ahead bucket with Illinois (5-2) down one on a pump fake and drive to the basket. Mike Davis and Brandon Paul helped spearhead the second-half charge. Davis finished with 22 points. Paul finished with 20.
The ACC now leads the Big Ten 5-4 in the Challenge. Earlier, Boston College beat Michigan 62-58 and Miami beat Minnesota 63-58. Duke-Wisconsin and Florida State-Ohio State play now.
Photo: Brandon Paul dunks against Clemson. (AP / Brett Flashnick)
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