---
title: "Buckner Pours in 26 as Clemson Holds Off American 82-73"
url: https://www.hereclemson.com/2026/11/07/buckner-26-clemson-holds-off-american-82-73/
date: 2026-11-07T05:25:42-05:00
modified: 2026-11-07T05:25:42-05:00
author: "Allen M. Hopkins"
categories: ["Sports"]
site: "HERE Clemson"
attribution: "HERE Clemson"
---

# Buckner Pours in 26 as Clemson Holds Off American 82-73

> CLEMSON, S.C. — Ace Buckner hit five 3-pointers on his way to 26 points Friday night, and Clemson pulled away late to beat American 82-73 and stay unbeaten in the young season. Buckner, among only seven players back from last year, made 9 of his 14 shots and handed out six assists. Liutaras Lelevicius chipped

*Source: [HERE Clemson](https://www.hereclemson.com/2026/11/07/buckner-26-clemson-holds-off-american-82-73/) — November 7, 2026 by Allen M. Hopkins*

CLEMSON, S.C. — Ace Buckner hit five 3-pointers on his way to 26 points Friday night, and Clemson pulled away late to beat American 82-73 and stay unbeaten in the young season.

Buckner, among only seven players back from last year, made 9 of his 14 shots and handed out six assists. Liutaras Lelevicius chipped in a double-double with 17 points and 10 boards, and it was his 3-pointer with 6:14 left in the first half that put the Tigers in front for good.

Dylan Faulkner finished with 12 points after a 16-point, 11-rebound effort in the opening win over Stetson on Monday. Cole Certa added 10, and Clemson won the glass 40-29.

American, which fell to 0-2, jumped out to a seven-point edge early and never let the Tigers build more than a 14-point cushion. Madden Collins led the Eagles with 23 points after scoring 20 in a loss at Cincinnati to open the year.

Coach Brad Brownell has leaned on a short bench, using an eight-man rotation in the opener while forward Carter Welling recovers from a knee injury. Chase Thompson, who has emerged as the first player off the bench, pulled down five rebounds.

The win pushed Clemson to 2-0 all-time against American. The programs had not played since a 98-58 Tigers victory on Dec. 12, 1977.