CLEMSON, S.C. — For the first time in his career, Joe Girard III has been named the ACC Player of the Week after he averaged 19.5 points, 5.0 rebounds and 2.5 assists in wins over No. 3 North Carolina and Syracuse – both coming on the road. He finished 54.5 percent from the field, 60.0 percent from three and 100.0 percent at the free throw line.
In a win over a North Carolina team which was ranked third in the country at the time, Girard scored 21 points, six rebounds and three assists. He connected on 7-of-16 from the field, including five 3-pointers and two at the free throw line. His three-pointer with 2:09 left in regulation came during a 7-0 Clemson run that sealed the Tigers’ second win all-time on UNC’s home floor.
On Saturday, Girard made his long-awaited return to Syracuse after spending the first four seasons of his career playing for the Orange. He finished with a game-high 18 points on 5-for-6 shooting from the floor, including 4-of-5 from three and a perfect 4-for-4 at the foul line.
Girard came into the game exactly 18 points shy of 2,000 for his career and it was poetic that he achieved the milestone at the free throw line as the Tigers put the finishing touches on their 16th win of the season which also evened their ACC record at 6-6.