Jan. 6, 2007

CLEMSON, S.C. (AP) -James Mays had 16 points, including the game-winning layup with 2.2 seconds to go, and No. 23 Clemson became Division I's only unbeaten team with a 75-74 victory over Georgia Tech on Saturday.

The best start in 20 years for the Tigers (16-0, 2-0 Atlantic Coast Conference) was in serious trouble Javaris Crittenton scored with 6.5 seconds left to put Georgia Tech ahead 74-73.

But Mays caught the inbounds pass at midcourt and dribbled down the left side of the lane before putting up his soft banker off the glass.

Mouhammad Faye put up a desperation heave that missed for Georgia Tech (11-4, 0-2), which has lost its last 14 games on its opponents court.

Clemson students and fans rushed the court, swarming Mays and his teammates in celebration.

Mays' basket capped a wild final minute where the lead changed hands four times with the nearly full crowd at Littlejohn Coliseum gasping at every shot.

Top-ranked UCLA lost 68-66 to No. 16 Oregon earlier Saturday to leave Clemson as the lone unbeaten.

K.C. Rivers added 20 points and Cliff Hammonds had 17 for the Tigers, who can match the school record for best start set by the 1986-87 team when they go to North Carolina State on Tuesday night.

Crittenton scored a career-high 22 points for Georgia Tech, which played without guard Lewis Clinch, who had been averaging 13 points a game. The sophomore guard was suspended for the season on Friday for a violation of "Institute policy," according to the school.

Georgia Tech led 48-39 with 14:17 left on a basket by Anthony Morrow. He added jumper and then a 3-pointer with 8:22 left that kept the Yellow Jackets ahead 63-58.

That's when Clemson put together an 11-2 run to move in front. Mays tied the game with two foul shots and added a slam off a missed shot during the streak.

Jemeris Smith hit two foul shots to put the Yellow Jackets up 72-71 with 33 seconds left. After Hammonds' driving shot regained the lead for the Clemson, Crittenton looked like he had saved the day for Georgia Tech with his floating basket.

The Tigers called a timeout to set up the final shot with Mays moving smoothly to the basket for the game-winner.

It's the second straight game Clemson needed a late shot to win. Hammonds' layup with 3 seconds left at Florida State gave the Tigers a 68-66 victory this past Wednesday night in their ACC opener.

Mays, the team's second-leading scorer, has a personal 27-0 mark the past two seasons. Clemson was 11-0 a year ago when Mays was declared academically ineligible and did not play again.

Yellow Jackets freshman Zach Peacock was ejected with 13:12 to go in the game when he hit Clemson's Trevor Booker with an elbow.