Godfrey scores 14, Welling plays key role in final seconds and Clemson edges Syracuse 64-61
AP
Jan 01, 2026
Syracuse Orange, N.Y. (AP) RJ Godfrey scored 14 points, Carter Welling made a key free throw and steal in the final seconds, and Clemson Tigers edged Syracuse 64-61 in an ACC opener on Wednesday.
Donnie Freeman's fastbreak layup got Syracuse within 63-61 points with 43 seconds remaining in the game. William Kyle III blocked a layup by Dillon Hunter on the next possession, but Clemson grabbed the offensive rebound and Welling was fouled with 14 seconds left.
Welling made one free throw for a three-point lead, then Freeman missed a 3-pointer for Syracuse. Naithan George rebounded for the Orange but Welling stole a pass to give Clemson possession. Jake Wahlin was fouled with less than a second remaining and the Tigers held on for the win.
Freeman had 18 points and nine rebounds and George contributed 10 points for Syracuse (9-5, 0-1 ACC).
Hunter scored 10 for Clemson (11-3, 1-0).
After Clemson led 29-28 at halftime, Butta Johnson's 3-pointer gave the Tigers a 43-33 lead with 13 1/2 minutes remaining.
Freeman, who missed the last nine games with a lower-body injury, scored his first nine points of the game and the Orange trailed 54-50 after he and Clemson's Hunter swapped 3-pointers.
Hunter hit another 3 for a 57-50 lead with 5 minutes left and his layup with 3 1/2 minutes to go made it 59-50.
The Tigers hit 4 of their first 5 shots and took an early 12-3 lead but Syracuse battled back, eventually going ahead 24-23 on a 3-pointer by George with 6 1/2 minutes left in the half. There were five more lead changes the remainder of the half.
Clemson: at Pittsburgh on Saturday.
Syracuse: at Georgia Tech on Tuesday.
---
Get poll alerts and updates on the AP Top 25 throughout the season. Sign up here and here (AP News mobile app). AP college basketball: https://apnews.com/hub/ap-top-25-college-basketball-poll and https://apnews.com/hub/college-basketball
Copyright 2026 STATS LLC and Associated Press. Any commercial use or distribution without the express written consent of STATS LLC and Associated Press is strictly prohibited.
1st Half
CLEM
Tigers
29
SYR
Orange
28
Time
Team
Play
Score
20:00
(Tigers gains possession)
19:36
Carter Welling misses two point hook shot
19:34
William Kyle III defensive rebound
19:26
Dillon Hunter shooting foul (Naithan George draws the foul)
19:26
Naithan George misses regular free throw 1 of 2
19:26
+1
Naithan George makes regular free throw 2 of 2
0-1
19:14
+2
Jake Wahlin makes two point layup
2-1
18:53
+2
Sadiq White Jr. makes two point hook shot
2-3
18:34
+2
RJ Godfrey makes two point layup
4-3
18:16
Sadiq White Jr. offensive foul
18:16
Sadiq White Jr. turnover (offensive foul)
18:01
+2
Carter Welling makes two point layup
6-3
18:01
William Kyle III shooting foul (Carter Welling draws the foul)
18:01
+1
Carter Welling makes regular free throw 1 of 1
7-3
17:46
Sadiq White Jr. misses two point jump shot
17:44
Jake Wahlin defensive rebound
17:26
Carter Welling turnover (J.J. Starling steals)
17:21
Naithan George misses two point layup
17:19
Jestin Porter defensive rebound
17:09
Nate Kingz personal foul
16:59
+3
Jestin Porter makes three point jump shot
10-3
16:25
RJ Godfrey shooting foul (William Kyle III draws the foul)
16:25
William Kyle III misses regular free throw 1 of 2
16:25
William Kyle III misses regular free throw 2 of 2
16:25
Jake Wahlin defensive rebound
16:11
RJ Godfrey misses three point jump shot
16:09
Naithan George defensive rebound
15:52
Donnie Freeman misses two point jump shot
15:50
Dillon Hunter defensive rebound
15:41
Donnie Freeman blocks Carter Welling's two point layup
15:39
RJ Godfrey offensive rebound
15:36
+2
RJ Godfrey makes two point dunk
12-3
15:30
Carter Welling personal foul
15:30
TV timeout
15:23
Ace Buckner personal foul
15:06
+3
Tyler Betsey makes three point jump shot (Naithan George assists)
12-6
14:43
Ace Buckner misses three point jump shot
14:41
Tyler Betsey defensive rebound
14:31
Donnie Freeman misses two point hook shot
14:29
Tigers defensive rebound
14:00
Ace Buckner misses two point jump shot
13:58
Donnie Freeman defensive rebound
13:51
Naithan George turnover (Butta Johnson steals)
13:46
+2
Dallas Thomas makes two point layup (Butta Johnson assists)
14-6
13:22
Naithan George turnover (Butta Johnson steals)
13:17
Chase Thompson turnover (Kiyan Anthony steals)
13:12
Dallas Thomas shooting foul (Tyler Betsey draws the foul)
13:12
+1
Tyler Betsey makes regular free throw 1 of 3
14-7
13:12
+1
Tyler Betsey makes regular free throw 2 of 3
14-8
13:12
+1
Tyler Betsey makes regular free throw 3 of 3
14-9
12:59
Dallas Thomas misses three point jump shot
12:57
Donnie Freeman defensive rebound
12:48
+2
J.J. Starling makes two point jump shot
14-11
12:15
Butta Johnson misses three point jump shot
12:13
Tyler Betsey defensive rebound
12:07
J.J. Starling turnover
11:52
+2
Nick Davidson makes two point layup
16-11
11:28
Butta Johnson shooting foul (Kiyan Anthony draws the foul)
11:28
TV timeout
11:28
+1
Kiyan Anthony makes regular free throw 1 of 2
16-12
11:28
+1
Kiyan Anthony makes regular free throw 2 of 2
16-13
11:10
Carter Welling misses three point jump shot
11:08
Ibrahim Souare defensive rebound
10:50
Kiyan Anthony turnover (Jestin Porter steals)
10:44
+2
Jestin Porter makes two point layup
18-13
10:39
Ibrahim Souare turnover
10:29
Kiyan Anthony blocks Jestin Porter's two point layup
10:27
Donnie Freeman defensive rebound
10:15
Donnie Freeman misses three point jump shot
10:13
Nick Davidson defensive rebound
9:51
+2
Jake Wahlin makes two point jump shot
20-13
9:23
+2
Kiyan Anthony makes two point layup
20-15
9:02
William Kyle III shooting foul (Nick Davidson draws the foul)
9:02
Nick Davidson misses regular free throw 1 of 2
9:02
+1
Nick Davidson makes regular free throw 2 of 2
21-15
8:45
Sadiq White Jr. misses two point jump shot
8:44
RJ Godfrey defensive rebound
8:26
Nick Davidson misses three point jump shot
8:24
Naithan George defensive rebound
8:23
RJ Godfrey blocks Kiyan Anthony's two point layup
8:21
Tigers defensive rebound
8:06
+2
RJ Godfrey makes two point dunk (Dillon Hunter assists)
23-15
7:47
+3
Nate Kingz makes three point jump shot
23-18
7:27
Nick Davidson turnover (lost ball)
7:27
TV timeout
7:10
+2
Ibrahim Souare makes two point dunk (Naithan George assists)
23-20
7:10
Jestin Porter shooting foul (Ibrahim Souare draws the foul)
7:10
+1
Ibrahim Souare makes regular free throw 1 of 1
23-21
6:43
J.J. Starling blocks Butta Johnson's two point layup
6:41
J.J. Starling defensive rebound
6:37
+3
Naithan George makes three point jump shot (J.J. Starling assists)
23-24
6:01
Tigers turnover (shot clock violation)
5:43
Naithan George misses two point jump shot
5:41
RJ Godfrey defensive rebound
5:28
+2
Dillon Hunter makes two point jump shot
25-24
5:04
Donnie Freeman misses three point jump shot
5:02
Dillon Hunter defensive rebound
4:53
Carter Welling misses two point jump shot
4:51
Nate Kingz defensive rebound
4:46
Dillon Hunter personal foul
4:46
+1
Naithan George makes regular free throw 1 of 2
25-25
4:46
+1
Naithan George makes regular free throw 2 of 2
25-26
4:25
Jestin Porter misses three point jump shot
4:23
J.J. Starling defensive rebound
4:02
Kiyan Anthony misses three point jump shot
4:00
Carter Welling defensive rebound
3:49
+2
RJ Godfrey makes two point dunk (Carter Welling assists)
27-26
3:36
J.J. Starling misses two point layup
3:34
Carter Welling defensive rebound
3:30
Jestin Porter misses three point jump shot
3:28
Tigers offensive rebound
3:28
TV timeout
3:15
Ace Buckner misses three point jump shot
3:13
Donnie Freeman defensive rebound
2:59
Jake Wahlin blocks J.J. Starling's two point layup
2:58
Orange offensive rebound
2:55
Nate Kingz misses three point jump shot
2:53
Naithan George offensive rebound
2:50
+2
Tyler Betsey makes two point layup (Naithan George assists)
27-28
2:15
Tigers turnover (shot clock violation)
1:57
Tyler Betsey misses three point jump shot
1:55
Ace Buckner defensive rebound
1:43
RJ Godfrey misses two point hook shot
1:41
Donnie Freeman defensive rebound
1:24
Donnie Freeman misses two point jump shot
1:22
RJ Godfrey defensive rebound
1:11
J.J. Starling blocks Jake Wahlin's two point layup
1:10
Tigers offensive rebound
1:00
+2
Ace Buckner makes two point jump shot
29-28
0:32
Naithan George misses three point jump shot
0:30
Carter Welling defensive rebound
0:07
J.J. Starling personal foul
0:07
Tigers 30 second timeout
0:06
Donnie Freeman personal foul
0:01
Ace Buckner misses two point jump shot
0:00
Carter Welling offensive rebound
0:00
End of period
2nd Half
CLEM
Tigers
35
SYR
Orange
33
Time
Team
Play
Score
19:41
+2
J.J. Starling makes two point layup
29-30
19:27
+2
RJ Godfrey makes two point layup
31-30
19:27
Nate Kingz shooting foul (RJ Godfrey draws the foul)
19:27
RJ Godfrey misses regular free throw 1 of 1
19:27
Orange defensive rebound
19:09
J.J. Starling misses two point jump shot
19:07
Jake Wahlin defensive rebound
18:57
+2
Carter Welling makes two point layup
33-30
18:29
Dillon Hunter personal foul
18:15
Naithan George misses two point layup
18:13
Tigers defensive rebound
17:49
Ace Buckner turnover (Naithan George steals)
17:43
+2
Nate Kingz makes two point layup
33-32
17:12
William Kyle III shooting foul
17:12
Carter Welling misses regular free throw 1 of 2
17:12
+1
Carter Welling makes regular free throw 2 of 2
34-32
16:51
William Kyle III misses two point hook shot
16:49
Naithan George offensive rebound
16:49
Naithan George misses two point layup
16:47
Orange offensive rebound
16:44
William Kyle III turnover (Ace Buckner steals)
16:39
Ace Buckner misses two point layup
16:37
Jake Wahlin offensive rebound
16:33
+2
Jake Wahlin makes two point layup
36-32
16:19
Naithan George misses two point jump shot
16:17
Nick Davidson defensive rebound
15:48
Jestin Porter misses two point jump shot
15:46
William Kyle III defensive rebound
15:33
J.J. Starling misses three point jump shot
15:31
Jake Wahlin defensive rebound
15:26
TV timeout
15:13
+2
RJ Godfrey makes two point dunk (Nick Davidson assists)
38-32
14:39
Orange turnover (shot clock violation)
14:29
Nick Davidson misses two point jump shot
14:27
Tyler Betsey defensive rebound
14:20
Donnie Freeman turnover (Ace Buckner steals)
14:16
+2
Ace Buckner makes two point layup
40-32
14:07
Orange 30 second timeout
14:07
TV timeout
13:52
Butta Johnson shooting foul (Kiyan Anthony draws the foul)
13:52
+1
Kiyan Anthony makes regular free throw 1 of 2
40-33
13:52
Kiyan Anthony misses regular free throw 2 of 2
13:52
Butta Johnson defensive rebound
13:33
+3
Butta Johnson makes three point jump shot (RJ Godfrey assists)
43-33
13:20
Nick Davidson shooting foul
13:20
+1
Naithan George makes regular free throw 1 of 2
43-34
13:20
+1
Naithan George makes regular free throw 2 of 2
43-35
13:03
RJ Godfrey turnover
12:43
Nick Davidson personal foul (Donnie Freeman draws the foul)
12:43
Donnie Freeman offensive foul
12:43
Donnie Freeman turnover (offensive foul)
12:15
Nick Davidson misses three point jump shot
12:14
Orange defensive rebound
12:14
RJ Godfrey personal foul
11:51
+2
Donnie Freeman makes two point jump shot
43-37
11:37
J.J. Starling shooting foul
11:37
TV timeout
11:37
Ace Buckner misses regular free throw 1 of 2
11:37
+1
Ace Buckner makes regular free throw 2 of 2
44-37
11:20
RJ Godfrey personal foul (Donnie Freeman draws the foul)
11:05
+2
Donnie Freeman makes two point layup
44-39
10:38
Butta Johnson misses three point jump shot
10:36
Nick Davidson offensive rebound
10:30
Carter Welling misses three point jump shot
10:28
William Kyle III defensive rebound
10:19
Orange turnover
10:05
+2
Ace Buckner makes two point layup
46-39
10:05
Naithan George shooting foul (Ace Buckner draws the foul)
10:05
+1
Ace Buckner makes regular free throw 1 of 1
47-39
9:40
+2
Kiyan Anthony makes two point layup
47-41
9:23
Ace Buckner misses two point jump shot
9:21
Donnie Freeman defensive rebound
9:20
Carter Welling personal foul (Donnie Freeman draws the foul)
9:20
+1
Donnie Freeman makes regular free throw 1 of 2
47-42
9:20
+1
Donnie Freeman makes regular free throw 2 of 2
47-43
9:06
+2
Nick Davidson makes two point dunk (Jake Wahlin assists)
49-43
8:39
William Kyle III misses two point jump shot
8:37
Butta Johnson defensive rebound
8:24
Ace Buckner misses two point layup
8:22
William Kyle III defensive rebound
8:14
+2
William Kyle III makes two point dunk (J.J. Starling assists)
49-45
8:10
Orange 30 second timeout
8:10
TV timeout
7:54
Dillon Hunter turnover
7:41
J.J. Starling turnover (RJ Godfrey steals)
7:21
RJ Godfrey turnover (out of bounds)
6:53
J.J. Starling misses three point jump shot
6:52
Tigers defensive rebound
6:52
Nate Kingz personal foul
6:41
William Kyle III blocks Carter Welling's two point layup
6:39
Donnie Freeman defensive rebound
6:26
William Kyle III misses two point jump shot
6:24
Carter Welling defensive rebound
6:12
+2
RJ Godfrey makes two point layup
51-45
6:01
RJ Godfrey personal foul
6:01
+1
William Kyle III makes regular free throw 1 of 2
51-46
6:01
+1
William Kyle III makes regular free throw 2 of 2
51-47
5:46
+3
Dillon Hunter makes three point jump shot (Jestin Porter assists)
54-47
5:23
+3
Donnie Freeman makes three point jump shot (Naithan George assists)
54-50
4:50
+3
Dillon Hunter makes three point jump shot
57-50
4:24
Donnie Freeman turnover (Nick Davidson steals)
3:56
Carter Welling misses two point hook shot
3:54
Donnie Freeman defensive rebound
3:42
Naithan George misses three point jump shot
3:40
Nick Davidson defensive rebound
3:33
Tigers 30 second timeout
3:33
TV timeout
3:27
+2
Dillon Hunter makes two point layup (RJ Godfrey assists)
59-50
3:09
Nick Davidson personal foul
3:09
+1
Donnie Freeman makes regular free throw 1 of 2
59-51
3:09
+1
Donnie Freeman makes regular free throw 2 of 2
59-52
2:45
Dillon Hunter turnover (back court violation)
2:35
+3
Donnie Freeman makes three point jump shot (Naithan George assists)
59-55
2:14
+2
Jestin Porter makes two point layup
61-55
1:53
Dillon Hunter personal foul
1:53
+1
Donnie Freeman makes regular free throw 1 of 2
61-56
1:53
+1
Donnie Freeman makes regular free throw 2 of 2
61-57
1:47
+2
Jestin Porter makes two point layup (Carter Welling assists)
63-57
1:33
+2
Naithan George makes two point jump shot
63-59
1:22
Tigers turnover (5-second violation)
1:21
J.J. Starling turnover (Carter Welling steals)
0:50
Tigers turnover (shot clock violation)
0:43
+2
Donnie Freeman makes two point layup (Naithan George assists)
63-61
0:42
Orange 60 second timeout
0:17
William Kyle III blocks Dillon Hunter's two point layup
