CLEMSON, S.C. -- The Eagles put up a valiant fight, but a quick start and a tenacious defense were too much for the Morehead State Men's Basketball team to overcome at Clemson Tuesday night as the Tigers defeated MSU 83-56.

MSU slipped to 1-3 on the season, while Clemson is 3-0.

Junior guard Davion Cunningham led MSU with season-highs of 18 points and seven rebounds. Tamaury Releford finished with eight points. MSU out-rebounded Clemson 41-40 after the Tigers came in with a +17 rebound margin.

The Tigers opened up a 20-5 lead and held the Eagles in single digits until 5:54 left in the first half when Cunningham dropped in a three-ball. Clemson led 39-20 at the halftime break.

MSU trimmed the deficit back to 43-28 with 17:20 left in the game before a three-pointer by the Tigers quelled the mini rally. Clemson held its lead throughout, pulling ahead by 20+ on a couple of occasions. A late 11-0 run pushed the margin over 30.

MSU shot 34 percent for the night and 73 percent at the free throw line, while the home team hit 47 percent, including 11 three-pointers.

MSU also only had 11 turnovers on the night and just four in the second half.

RJ Godfrey led the Tigers with a double-double of 13 points and 11 rebounds.

Morehead State returns back home for a Sunday matinee against Kentucky Christian at 12:30 p.m. ET.