Jerai Grant scored a game-high 18 points and blocked a career-best eight shots as Clemson used a decisive 16-0 run late in the first half to take control en route to a 71-59 non-conference win over East Carolina Wednesday night in Clemson, S.C.

The win was the fifth straight for Clemson (10-4) while visiting East Carolina (7-6) dropped its second straight in losing for the fifth straight time to the Tigers in the all-time series.

ECU led 25-19 with 5:32 remaining in the opening half before Clemson scored 16 straight points in the next 4:23 to take a 35-25 lead. Demontez Stitt scored all 10 of his points in the first half to lead Clemson before Grant took over in the second half.

After East Carolina rallied to cut Clemson’s lead to 45-42 with 13:20 left, the Tigers put the game away with a 13-2 run over the next 5:29 to extend their lead to 58-44. Grant scored 13 points and blocked five shots in the second half. Milton Jennings came off the bench to score 13 for Clemson, while Andre Young added 11.

East Carolina was led by reserve guard Brock Young’s 14 points and five assists. Jontae Sherrod added 13.