The Brad Brownell era got off to a fast start at Clemson as the Tigers delivered their first-year coach an easy 87-64 victory over visiting Western Carolina on Friday night at Littlejohn Coliseum.

Clemson rode a hot-shooting first half (15 for 26, 58 percent) to a commanding 43-24 halftime lead, and extended the margin to as much as 29 points, at 76-47.

Devin Booker's 16 points led four Tigers in double figures, followed by Milton Jennings (14), Tanner Smith (12) and Andre Young (10). Trey Sumler had 16 points for the Catamounts.

Brownell's debut followed Oliver Purnell's departure to take the coaching job at DePaul. Brownell had previously spent four seasons each guiding UNC-Wilmington and Wright State.

Clemson drubbed the Catamounts 79-57 in their meeting a year ago. The Tigers ended 2009-10 with a first-round loss to Missouri in the NCAA tournament, and 21-11 overall record.

Western Carolina had a solid 2009-10 season in which it finished 22-12, including a surprising early-season victory at Louisville. The Catamounts lost to Marshall 90-88 in the first round of the CIT Tournament.