Aamir Simms scored 18 points to lead host Clemson to a 78-61 victory against Syracuse Saturday afternoon in an Atlantic Coast Conference game at Littlejohn Coliseum.

Simms, a preseason first-team All-ACC selection, made 7 of 9 shots from the floor while scoring in double figures for a fourth consecutive game and 10th time this season. Simms also grabbed a game-high 11 rebounds for his second double-double of the season and the seventh of his career.

Clemson improved to 12-5 overall and 6-5 in the ACC with its second straight win and third in four games.

Syracuse, which had won three of its last four, slipped to 10-6, 4-5 with its third consecutive loss against the Tigers. Syracuse is 1-5 all-time at Clemson's Littlejohn Coliseum, where the Tigers are 8-1 this season.

Clemson held the Orange to season lows in field-goal percentage (30 percent), field goals (18) and assists (6).

Syracuse, which entered the game ranked second in the ACC in scoring at 77.7 points per game, also was held to it third-lowest point total of the season.

Nick Honor scored 15 points for Clemson, all from 3-point range, where he connected on 5 of 8 attempts. Clyde Trapp scored two points for the Tigers, but had a career-high 11 assists and eight rebounds.

Syracuse got 19 points on 7 of 13 shooting from Joseph Girard III. Alan Griffin added 12 points and Marek Dolezaj had 10. Leading scorer Quincy Guerrier was held to eight points on 3 of 11 shooting.

Clemson seized control from the outset, building a 10-point lead 6 1/2 minutes in and extending the lead to 20 points by halftime, 39-19, as the Orange closed the half by making only one of their last 20 shots.

Honor, meanwhile, made four 3-point shots in the first half and Simms added 13 points in the first 20 minutes.

The Tigers continued their assault in the second half, building a 25-point advantage with 12 minutes remaining. Syracuse drew no closer than 19 points the rest of the way.

Clemson outrebounded the Orange 42-25 and shot 53 percent from the floor while making 10 of 23 shots from beyond the arc.

--Field Level Media