Clemson tops Georgia to win Shriners Children’s Charleston Classic

Staff Reports

CHARLESTON, S.C. — Georgia and Clemson traded blows for 45 minutes Sunday afternoon, but the Bulldogs came up just short in the championship game of the Shriners Children’s Charleston Classic, falling 97–94 in an overtime thriller at TD Arena.

Sophomore guard Jeremiah Wilkinson turned in a breakout performance with a season-high 26 points to lead all scorers. Blue Cain added 19 points and seven rebounds, and Somto Cyril finished with 11 points on perfect shooting as Georgia slipped to 6–1. Clemson improved to 6–1 and claimed the tournament trophy.

The matchup — the 83rd meeting between the teams — stayed close throughout. Georgia led by as many as 10 in the first half, but Clemson rallied to take a 41–40 halftime lead. The Bulldogs responded with a 13–0 run midway through the second half to regain control, only to see the Tigers counter with timely three-pointers and a steady rebounding advantage. Clemson finished with 45 rebounds to Georgia’s 35 and used 18 second-chance points to prevent the Bulldogs from pulling away.

Georgia trailed 78–76 in the final minute of regulation before Wilkinson muscled in a driving layup with 48 seconds left to tie it. The Bulldogs got a defensive stop to force overtime, but Clemson struck first in the extra period, then protected the lead with offensive rebounds and free throws. Wilkinson and Cain kept Georgia within a single possession in the final minute, but the Bulldogs’ last offensive trip broke down before they could attempt a clean tying shot.

Head coach Mike White said afterward that the effort was strong, even in defeat. “Disappointing that we came out on the short end,” White said. “It was a high-level game. Two good teams. Clemson is a very good, just really skilled team, big team. Out-rebounded us by 10. Shot it really well. Made 11 threes. Their size advantage, their ability to play two bigs and produce with two bigs was not offset by our ability to turn them over.”

White said he believed Georgia did enough offensively to win but struggled with key possessions late. “I thought we did a lot of good things, of course. Probably the best we’ve played. I know it was a loss. We’ve got a long way to go,” he said. “I love the fight. We found ourselves early second half in a tough spot. We found ourselves early overtime in a tough spot. Showed a lot of resilience, showed some connection.”

The final play, White said, was one the Bulldogs wished they had back. “We’ve got to be more connected, especially that last possession offensively for us. Wish we could have that one back,” he said. “Credit Clemson. They’re very good. Hopefully we’ll continue to get better.”

Georgia returns home to face Tennessee Tech on Saturday, Nov. 29, with tipoff set for 2 p.m. on SEC Network+.