Add another win over another power conference opponent to Yale's already big list of recent accomplishments. Paul Atkinson scored 20 points and Jordan Bruner added 10 points and 13 rebounds in his homecoming as the Bulldogs knocked off Clemson 54-45 before a stunned crowd of 5,632 at Littlejohn Coliseum.
 
Yale (10-3) has won seven straight games and eight of its last nine. The only blemish in the stretch was a two-point loss at No. 23 Penn State in a game the Bulldogs led for nearly 37 minutes.
 
Over the last 5+ seasons, Yale now has wins over Clemson, Miami, Baylor, Washington and California. During that span, the Bulldogs have won 111 games, the most of any Ivy League school, posted a 52-18 record in Ivy games, captured three Ivy League championships and won the first NCAA Tournament game in school history.
 
Yale gets another opportunity for a signature win in its next game, at North Carolina on Dec. 30.
 
Defense sparked the victory over Clemson. The Bulldogs, who have been among the nation's top defensive teams all season, limited the Tigers to 31.9 percent shooting from the field, including just 20 percent from three-point range. The 45 points were a season-low for Clemson.
 
"It was a great defensive effort, probably our best of the season," said James Jones, The Joel E. Smilow, Class of 1954 Head Coach of the Bulldogs.
 
Offensively, Azar Swain joined Atkinson and Bruner in double figures, finishing with 10 points. Jalen Gabbidon added six points, Eric Monroe and Jameel Alausa scored three points and Eze Dike added a big basket as time expired at the end of the first half.
 
Yale closed the opening 20 minutes on a 7-2 run and had a 24-19 lead at the intermission. The Bulldogs built the advantage to eight midway through the second half before Clemson rallied to take a two-point lead, 38-36, with nine minutes remaining. Yale then seized control with a 10-4 run and had a 12-point lead in the final minute.
 
The Bulldogs were in front for nearly 25 minutes in the game.
 
Bruner, a Columbia, S.C., native who was heavily recruited by Clemson, and Atkinson were dominant. Bruner posted his second straight double-double and added a key block in the final minute. Atkinson, who leads the Ivy League in field goal percentage, was 8-of-10 from the field and had four assists in 37 minutes.
 
The Bulldogs are 5-3 in true road games this season and have seven victories away from home.
 
After a break for the holiday, Yale heads to Chapel Hill to face the Tar Heels. Tipoff is slated for 7 p.m. and the game will be televised on the ACC Network.