Clemson prevails in the Battle of the Tigers

by Tony Crumpton - Assoc. Editor - Thu Nov 19 20:59:37 GMT-04:00 2015

GREENVILLE, SC - It wasn't always beautiful, but Clemson found a way to win at the "The Well" for the third straight game this season.

Clemson (3-0) hosted the Texas Southern Tigers (0-3), and the Tigers from Pickens County were victorious 76-56 at the Bon Secours Arena on Thursday night.

It was a tale of two halves as Texas Southern led at halftime by one basket (33-31) but Clemson dominated the second half of play 45-23.

The contest was the third home game in six days for Clemson, and heavy legs showed early as Texas Southern got off to a fast 12-4 start to seize some early momentum.

However, Jordan Roper kept his team afloat early with eight of Clemson's first nine points.

Clemson forward Jaron Blossomgame played a solid first half with eight points, five rebounds and an assist. The talented forward was the best player on the court again at Bon Secours Arena as he finished with 22 points, nine rebounds and two assists.

Texas Southern forward Malcolm Riley had 12 points to lead his team to a 33-31 lead at halftime.

A telling offensive statistic for the first half was a paltry five total assists for the Tigers.

Clemson seized control of the game with 13:16 left in the contest with a score of 47-37. Clemson also went on a massive 25-2 run in the second half.

Sidy Djitte had a solid day with a career-high 13 points, and he also grabbed nine rebounds. Last game, Djitte had a previous career-high nine points and five rebounds.

The largest applause of the contest was at the 9:54 mark as Blossgame scored an inside basket and was fouled.

Former Indiana and UAB coach Mike Davis is the coach for Texas Southern, and it was the first contest ever between the two schools.

Clemson will next face UMass on Nov. 23 in Las Vegas, Nev. at 9:30 PM at the MGM Grand Main Event tournament.

Sidy Djitte working hard in the early going against TSU. pic.twitter.com/kYBQjBwpkJ
— TigerNet.com (@ClemsonTigerNet) November 20, 2015

Jaron Blossomgame skies for the jumper, Clemson up 18-17 with 9:14 in the first half. pic.twitter.com/6oi0Pjxu3R
— TigerNet.com (@ClemsonTigerNet) November 20, 2015