Clemson Edges Georgia in Exhibition Basketball Thriller

Dylan Faulkner hits a buzzer-beater to secure an 82-80 win over Georgia.

Updated on Oct. 24, 2026 in Basketball

Clemson Edges Georgia in Exhibition Basketball Thriller

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Clemson defeated Georgia 82-80 in a men's basketball exhibition game at Littlejohn Coliseum. Dylan Faulkner led the Tigers with 21 points and hit the game-winning jumper as time expired.

Why it matters

The exhibition win provides a momentum boost for Clemson as the team prepares to start the regular season in just over a week. Both teams are looking to build chemistry after being picked to finish 7th in the ACC and 11th in the SEC respectively.

Dylan Faulkner led all scorers with 21 points, adding seven rebounds and five assists. Clemson secured the win despite committing 13 turnovers while the defense drew 27 fouls from Georgia throughout the contest.

The players

Dylan Faulkner

He is a key player for Clemson who recorded a game-high 21 points and hit the winning buzzer-beater.

Dallas Thomas

He is a Clemson basketball player who contributed 18 points to the team's victory.

The details

Dylan Faulkner provided the decisive moment with a short jumper at the buzzer, capping a performance that included 11-of-13 shooting from the free-throw line. Dallas Thomas also contributed to the Tigers' effort, scoring 18 points on 6-of-12 shooting.

October 23, 2026: Clemson hosted Georgia for an exhibition game.

Season Trajectory

This victory serves as an early-season barometer for Clemson as the team looks to outperform its 7th-place projection in the ACC. The result provides a necessary test against SEC competition before the official start of the college basketball season.

The close score indicates a competitive rotation for Clemson ahead of the regular season opener. Fans should track the team's shooting efficiency, specifically the 11-of-13 free-throw performance from Faulkner, as a potential indicator of offensive consistency.

The takeaway

Clemson enters the upcoming season with positive momentum following a narrow exhibition win against an SEC opponent. Focusing on consistent scoring and minimizing turnover counts will be critical as the team begins regular season play.