Tigers get career highs from three players in win over Noles |
CLEMSON – Three different Clemson Tigers claimed career highs and the Tigers created a log jam in the middle of the ACC standings by claiming a 77-67 victory over the Florida St. Seminoles at Littlejohn Coliseum Wednesday night.
David Potter, Andre Young and Devin Booker each netted a career high in points as the Tigers improved to 17-7 overall and 5-5 in the ACC with the win over Florida St. The Tigers, Seminoles and Georgia Tech are each tied for sixth in the conference with identical 17-7 and 5-5 records. Potter and Andre Young ended up with 19 points apiece, while Devin Booker added 14 for the Tigers, who avenged a 65-61 loss at the hands of the Seminoles last season, in Clemson, that saw the Tigers blow a 19-point lead. The win also ended a four-game losing streak to the Seminoles. “High stakes game, high stakes effort,” Clemson head coach Oliver Purnell said. “I was very proud of the effort the guys gave tonight. I thought we did a good job of following the game plan, and not just with pressure, but guarding them with pressure. We continue to rebound the ball, and that makes the defense a lot better.” The Tigers jumped out to a quick 9-0 lead in the first half, holding the Seminoles without a field goal until Michael Snaer hit a 3-pointer with 14:29 remaining. The Seminoles then put the clamps on the Clemson offense, climbing back into the game by scoring the next eight points, but then the Tigers rediscovered some if their touch from outside. David Potter and Andre each hit three 3-pointers in the half, Potter’s last one coming off a pass from Young with three seconds remaining in the half, and the Tigers led 37-24 at the break, despite committing 14 fouls. However, they were 6-for-12 from beyond the arc and out-rebounded Florida St. 20-15. In the second half, the Seminoles could get no closer than eight points, at 65-57, and the Tigers made 24-of-30 foul shots in the half to hold Florida St. at bay. For the game, the Tigers were 29-for-38 (76.3%) from the charity stripe. Clemson out-rebounded the Noles 38-34. Purnell said he was pleased with the effort of Potter, Young and Devin Booker, but mentioned Potter’s defense right off the bat. “I thought David Potter did a good job on Chris Singleton, who is one of their better players,” Purnell said. “Devin gave us a huge lift inside when we got into foul trouble. We had Andre Young continue to do a yeoman’s job, as he has all year long, whether it is making a big shot or coming up with a big defensive play. And I want to mention Demontez Stitt. His presence out there makes a big difference. Just by him being out there guarding, or creating, that type of thing. I am just proud that he said to heck with it [his injury] and just went out and played.” Florida St. head coach Leonard Hamilton said he thought the Tigers played like they had something to play for. ”I thought that Clemson played with a sense of urgency tonight,” Hamilton said. “We got off to a 1-for-11 start and we missed several shots within four or five feet of the basket. We were lucky to cut it back to eight. I thought Andre Young did a good job using the ball screens and we did not do a good job of defending them. In the ACC, if you are not on your very best then it is hard to win. Then Potter hit several threes. We just never got enough stops defensively.” Potter said that after a rough stretch, which started in late November, he feels like his shooting touch is back. ”It is just being aggressive,” Potter said. “Coach Bradley sat me down a couple of weeks ago and told me that I needed to start being more aggressive like I was in the beginning of the year. I was taking what Florida St. was giving me, and it just seemed like my shot was falling. The main thing is me feeling more confident, and my shot is coming back. It feels good.” The Tigers return to action when they play host to the Miami Hurricanes at 12 p.m. Saturday afternoon in Littlejohn. Limited Number of Tickets Remain for Clemson Basketball Home Games A limited number of tickets remain for the Clemson men's basketball team's three remaining home games, according to the school’s athletic ticket office. The Tigers will play host to Miami this Saturday, February 13 and will face Virginia on Saturday, February 20 and Georgia Tech on Tuesday, March 2 at Littlejohn Coliseum. Fans can purchase tickets for these games online at www.clemsontigers.com or by calling 1-800-CLEMSON.
VISITORS: Florida State 17-7, 5-5
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