Buckner Shines in Clemson Debut; Tigers Dominate Wildcats
The Clemson University men’s basketball team opened the 2025–26 season with a commanding 88–38 win over New Hampshire on Monday night at Littlejohn Coliseum. The 38 points allowed were the fewest by Clemson in a season opener since December 11, 1946, when the Tigers defeated Erskine 58–30.
Ace Buckner Leads the Way
Redshirt freshman Ace Buckner (Dallas, Texas/La Lumiere School, Indiana) stood out in his collegiate debut, posting 18 points, three rebounds, two assists, and one blocked shot.
“Buckner outscored his father, Greg Buckner (1994–98), who tallied 10 points, nine assists, and five rebounds in his debut on November 29, 1994, against Charleston Southern.”
Ace Buckner shot efficiently, going 6-for-7 from the field and converting all six of his free throw attempts.
Team Contributions
- RJ Godfrey (Suwanee, Ga./North Gwinnett/Georgia) was close to a double-double with nine points and nine rebounds.
- Jake Wahlin (Provo, Utah/Timpview/Utah) added 11 points and four rebounds.
- Jestin Porter (Houston, Texas/Cypress Ridge/Middle Tennessee State) contributed eight points, five rebounds, and three assists.
- Carter Welling (Draper, Utah/Corner Canyon/Utah Valley) rounded out the double-digit scorers with 10 points.
Strong Finish to the First Half
Clemson closed the first half with a dominant 15–2 run over the final six minutes, taking a 43–16 lead into halftime. Overall, 12 players saw action for the Tigers, and 11 of them scored.
Author’s Summary
Clemson launched its 2025–26 season with an emphatic 88–38 home win, led by Ace Buckner’s impressive debut and balanced team performance across the roster.