No. 24 Clemson Shoots Past Gardner-Webb, 96-67, Saturday
November 24, 2007 | Men's Basketball
CLEMSON, S.C. – No. 24 Clemson hit 11 of its first 17
three-point shots, using that hot start to top Gardner-Webb, 96-67,
Saturday at Littlejohn Coliseum.
Road weary Gardner-Webb (4-4) was playing its eighth game of the
season – with seven of those coming away from home, and five
against teams from major conferences (SEC, Big East, Big 12, ACC).
The Bulldogs' finally ran out of gas Saturday afternoon, and
Clemson took advantage.
The Tigers (5-0) and GWU were in a dog fight, literally, for the
game's first 12 minutes – as the lead changed hands eight
times before the trio of Cliff Hammonds, K.C. Rivers and Terrance
Oglesby heated up from three-point land, pacing Clemson to a 27-16
run over the final eight minutes of the half.
Clemson led by 17 points at the break, 53-36, after hitting eight
treys in the first 20 minutes. The Runnin' Bulldogs made a push to
get the lead as low as 12 points on Nate Blank's three ball with
13:47 to play in the game – but the Tigers went on a decisive
13-3 run over the next 3:07 getting three-pointers from Rivers and
Hammonds to cap the run and take a 75-50 lead.
Gardner-Webb would not get closer than 21 points in the last 10
minutes, as the Bulldogs sat their starters down the stretch. The
loss was GWU's first by more than 20 points this season.
Blank had 16 points, Thomas Sanders added 15 and Aaron Linn had 14
points to pace the ‘Dogs offensively. GWU shot just 38.6
percent for the game (6-of-25 from three-point range), and were
outrebounded 32-15 in the final half of action (51-34 overall).
Clemson placed five in double figures, paced by Hammonds (16
points), Trevor Booker (15 points) and Oglesby (15 points). Rivers
and James Mays each had 13 for the Tigers, who shot 50.7 percent
from the floor and an unconscious 57.9 percent from deep
(11-of-19).
Gardner-Webb will finally return home, taking on Big South
Conference favorite High Point at 7 pm ET on Tuesday, Nov. 27 in
Paul Porter Arena. High Point is led by Gaffney, S.C., senior
Arizona Reid.
Fans interested in purchasing tickets can call the GWU athletics
department on Monday and Tuesday at (704) 406-4340.
| Box Score: #24 Clemson 96, GWU 67 |
