Clemson’s Olu Babalola defends against Florida State’s Al Thornton during the first half on Sunday. (AP Photo/Anderson Independent-Mail, Sefton Ipock) CLEMSON (AP) — Sharrod Ford scored 21 points and pulled down 14 rebounds as Clemson climbed out of the Atlantic Coast Conference cellar with a 83-74 victory over Florida State on Sunday.

The Tigers (14-13, 4-10 ACC) led 48-36 with just over 11 minutes to go, but a 17-5 run by the Seminoles tied the game at 53 with just under six minutes to go.

The Tigers responded with a dunk by Ford and a 3-pointer by Cheyenne Moore.

Clemson would then hit 19 of 24 free throws in the final 4:16 and shot 31-of-47 from the foul line for the game. The Seminoles (11-17, 3-11) committed 32 fouls, and three Florida State players fouled out.

Moore scored 15 points, while Vernon Hamilton had 12 and Shawan Robinson added 11 for the Tigers, who need just one more win to be eligible for the NIT.

Al Thornton led Florida State with 15 points. Anthony Richardson added 13 for the Seminoles, who slipped into last place in the ACC.

Clemson outrebounded Florida State 40-25, and Ford’s 14 boards were more than all five of the Seminole starters combined.

Clemson opened the game with a 16-8 lead, but Florida State scored 11 unanswered points to take a 19-18 lead with just over five minutes to go in the half.

The two teams were tied at 27 at the break before Clemson opened the second half on a 10-2 run.

The Tigers have now won two in a row in the ACC and three of their last four games.

‘‘These guys have a different look,’’ Clemson coach Oliver Purnell said. ‘‘They believe in themselves. They made the plays to win the game.’’

Purnell was also glad his team didn’t fall apart when Florida State made its second half run.

‘‘It was a gritty effort on our part. It was a team effort,’’ Purnell said. ‘‘We lost a little bit of defensive focus in the first half, but we didn’t in the second half.’’

Florida State coach Leonard Hamilton said he was surprised at how the Tigers dominated the glass.

‘‘Clemson did a very good job of attacking the offensive boards. We had no answer for them on the glass. Their interior defense kept us at bay,’’ Hamilton said.

But the biggest difference was Ford, Hamilton said.

‘‘Sharrod Ford is what college basketball is all about. He has gotten better every year. He plays within himself and does the little things,’’ Hamilton said. ‘‘I am a Sharrod Ford fan. He is playing as well as anybody in the ACC now.’’