Clemson falls to Notre Dame 89-83

GREENVILLE — Notre Dame coach Mike Brey was glad Zach Auguste got mad after spending much of the first half on the bench in foul trouble in the Fighting Irish’s 89-83 win over Clemson on Monday night.

Auguste dominated both the offensive and defensive end, scored 15 of his 19 points during the final 20 minutes and held the Tigers two centers to just five points and five rebounds.

“He was a man — what he gave us in the second half,” Brey said. “He came out and gave us a great physical effort and set the tone.”

The win keeps Notre Dame (17-7, 8-4 Atlantic Coast) in line to finish in the top four seeds at the ACC tournament and get a double bye. The Irish had one last year, and took advantage of only having to win three games to pick up their first ACC title.

Notre Dame never trailed, but Clemson (14-10, 7-5) kept it close for most of the game. The Fighting Irish were up 50-47 when Clemson’s Donte Grantham was called for a charge on a close call driving to the basket.

Notre Dame scored on 11 of its next 12 possessions. Auguste had three baskets on powerful inside moves and the Irish hit five 3-pointers as the lead ballooned to 77-64.

Demetrius Jackson scored 17 points, V.J. Beachem added 15 points, Bonzie Colson 11 points and eight rebounds and Steve Vasturia scored 10 for the Irish.

“They’ve got older players that play with poise. They always have five guys on the floor that can score,” Clemson coach Brad Brownell said. “Tonight they got something from everybody.”

The Irish shot 10-of-22 on 3-pointers, and Auguste said that was critical to open him up inside.

“We’re a very unselfish team. Our offense is great when it is flowing,” Auguste said.

Notre Dame 89, CLEMSON 83

NOTRE DAME (17-7)

Beachem 4-8 3-4 15, Jackson 6-13 3-5 17, Auguste 8-12 3-3 19, Vasturia 3-7 2-2 10, Colson 3-9 5-6 11, Pflueger 1-2 4-4 6, Torres 1-1 1-1 3, Ryan 3-5 0-0 8, Farrell 0-0 0-0 0, Burns 0-0 0-0 0, Holtz 0-0 0-0 0, Burgett 0-0 0-0 0, Gregory 0-0 0-0 0, Geben 0-0 0-0 0. Totals 29-57 21-25 89.

CLEMSON (14-10)

Blossomgame 13-19 2-4 30, Holmes 5-9 5-5 17, Grantham 5-11 1-3 15, Roper 3-6 0-0 7, Nnoko 0-1 3-4 3, Robertin 0-0 0-0 0, Davis 0-0 0-0 0, DeVoe 3-9 0-0 7, Hudson 1-1 0-0 2, Smith 0-0 0-0 0, McGillan 0-0 0-0 0, Djitte 1-3 0-0 2. Totals 31-59 11-16 83.

Halftime—Notre Dame 35-29. 3-Point Goals—Notre Dame 10-22 (Beachem 4-7, Vasturia 2-4, Ryan 2-4, Jackson 2-6, Colson 0-1), Clemson 10-20 (Grantham 4-6, Blossomgame 2-3, Holmes 2-5, Roper 1-1, DeVoe 1-5). Fouled Out—None. Rebounds—Notre Dame 30 (Auguste, Colson 8), Clemson 31 (Grantham 7). Assists—Notre Dame 14 (Vasturia 4), Clemson 12 (Roper 6). Total Fouls—Notre Dame 14, Clemson 18. A—8,195.