B.J. Holmes scored 20 points and Texas A&M used a fierce defense to upset undefeated and No. 19 ranked Clemson 69-60 on Thursday in the first round of the 76 Classic in Anaheim.
David Loubeau added 12 points and nine rebounds and Bryan Davis had 10 points for the Aggies (4-0), who will face No. 8 West Virginia in a semifinal game on Friday.
The Aggie defense held Clemson All-Ameercian candidate Trevor Booker to just 6 points in the first half and 18 points for the game.
Clemson (4-1) lost for the first time this season.
Texas A&M had a 33-20 halftime lead and led by as many as 17 early in the second half before Clemson pulled to 58-56 when Tanner Smith made two free throws with 5:14 remaining. Smith finished with 14 points.
A free throw and a Holmes' 3-pointer gave the Aggies some breathing room and that was as close as Clemson would come.
The Aggies started the game stone cold, not scoring a basktet for the first six and a half minutes of the game. But the Aggies kept their composure and a consistently fierce Aggie defense kept the A&M deficit within reach, 7-1, until the offense caught fire.
Texas A&M tied the game at 7-7 on a David Loubeau layup at the 12:26 mark in the first half.
The game stayed close for the next few minutes and was tied 18-18 at with six minutes left in the first half.
From that point, Khris Middleton and Holmes made 3-pointers during a 15-2 run by the Aggies that included three layups from Donald Sloan to take a 33-20 halftime lead.
Clemson's 20 points in the first half were the fewest the Tigers have scored since getting only 17 against Florida State on Feb. 19, 2008.
Texas A&M extended its advantage to 44-29 before Clemson used a 13-4 run to get back into the game.
The Aggie defense held Clemson to just 34% shooting and forced 19 turnovers.
Looking ahead, this was a very important win for the Aggies, as Clemson is one of its strongest non-conference opponents this season, and the win will help the Aggies' post season seeding if they continue to progress.
Friday's game with No. 8 West Virgina is another opportunity for the Aggies to get some positive national exposure and recognition.