"It was like a boxing match," Auburn Coach Cliff Ellis said.

Clemson's lead in the second half reached 30 points before Coach Cliff Ellis emptied his bench.

"There won't be any higher feeling than what happened with the Duke win," said Coach Cliff Ellis.

His joy ended, if only temporarily, when he saw Cliff Ellis, the Clemson coach.

Cliff Ellis was head coach at the University of South Alabama from 1975 to 1984.

Cliff Ellis coached at Auburn for 10 seasons while compiling a record of 186-125 (.598).

And despite losing his top three scorers, Cliff Ellis has just as dangerous of a group this year.

"We had an excellent second half," said Coach Cliff Ellis of Clemson.

"I've always believed in this team," Auburn Coach Cliff Ellis said.

"The game should have been over," Auburn Coach Cliff Ellis said.