CLEMSON, S.C.- Clemson scored 15 unanswered points in the first half and rolled to a 61-40 win over Savannah State at Littlejohn Coliseum before a crowd of 5,500.

SSU trailed 4-0 before Joshua Montgomery scored on a layup and a free throw at the 15:21 mark to make the score 4-3.

Clemson answered with a 15-0 run to go ahead 19-3 with 9:39 on the clock.

The Savannah State deficit grew to 21 points but SSU was able to get within 14 with a 14-7 spurt with 1:27 left.

Clemson led 37-20 at the break.

A jumper and free throw by Cedric Smith pulled SSU within 39-23 early in the second half but Clemson responded with eight straight points during a 15-2 run to extend their lead to 54-25 with 11:23 remaining.

Savannah State had a 9-1 run to whittle their deficit to 55-34 with 7:15 left but could not get any closer than 21 the rest of the way as they were held without a field goal the final 3:47.

SSU's Jovonni Shuler led all scorers with 23 points and 10 rebounds.

Jerai Grant paced Clemson (6-4) with 15 points off the bench.

Clemson shot 41.7 percent from the floor while SSU was held to 22.9 percent. CU out-rebounded Savannah State 44 to 32.

Despite winning by 21 points, Clemson out-scored SSU 24-20 in the second period.