Clemson beats Francis Marion 98-44

by CU Athletic Communications - Fri Nov 01 22:03:34 GMT-04:00 2013

CLEMSON, SC – Clemson men’s basketball showcased a stifling defense and a balanced scoring effort in its only public exhibition prior to the 2013-14 season, a 98-44 victory over Francis Marion University. K.J. McDaniels K.J. McDaniels
Jr. Forward
#32 6-6, 200
Birmingham, AL
View Full Profile led Clemson offensively with 15 points, one of five Tigers to reach double figures. Jaron Blossomgame Jaron Blossomgame
RS So. Forward
#5 6-7, 205
Alpharetta, GA
View Full Profile (11), Adonis Filer Adonis Filer
So. Guard
#3 6-2, 190
Chicago, IL
View Full Profile (11), Austin Ajukwa Austin Ajukwa
Fr. Guard
#1 6-5, 190
Columbia, SC
View Full Profile (10) and Devin Coleman Devin Coleman
RS So. Guard
#15 6-2, 200
Philadelphia, PA
View Full Profile (10) also scored double digits for Brad Brownell’s team.

Clemson shot well from the field and the free throw line Friday. The Tigers converted 32-of-53 field goal attempts, including a 78 percent clip in the second half. From the charity stripe, Clemson was 25-for-35 for a 71 percent mark. Clemson enjoyed a +16 rebound margin, while dominating the points in the paint 42-18. Defensively, the Tigers held the Patriots to 28 percent shooting and forced 21 turnovers as well.

The Tigers enjoyed a fast start, jumping out to a 12-0 lead punctuated with a pair of threes back-to-back from Roper and McDaniels. A stingy defense forced the Patriots to miss 13 of their first 15 shots, as Clemson extended the lead to 20-6 just past the 10:00 mark. Jaron Blossomgame made it 31-12 in favor of the Tigers on a strong move inside against the zone.

McDaniels brought the house down on a left-handed follow dunk off a missed three by Damarcus HarrisonDamarcus Harrison
Jr. Guard
#21 6-4, 200
Greenwood, SC
View Full Profile . Harrison provided one of his own a minute later when he drove right baseline for a two-handed jam, making it 43-18. A tip-in by Sidy Djitte, a freshman from Senegal, provided the final first half score to make it 47-24 at intermission.

Clemson scored the first 24 points of the second half, highlighted early by a driving baseline dunk from McDaniels. The lead stretched past the 40-point threshold for the first time after Ibrahim DjamboIbrahim Djambo
Jr. Forward
#42 6-10, 205
Poplar Bluff, MO
View Full Profile made a driving left-handed layup with just over 12 minutes to play. FMU did not score its first basket in the second frame until Sam Caron made a three-pointer with 9:30 to go in the game. Clemson had 16 consecutive stops on defense prior to the made shot.

The Tigers open the regular season at home a week from Friday against Stetson. Call 1-800-CLEMSON or visit ClemsonTigers.com for ticket information.