Gamecocks end losing streak against Tigers |
A cold night offensively and a lack of clutch free throws down the stretch cost the Clemson Tigers Sunday afternoon, leading to a 64-60 loss to arch-rival South Carolina in Columbia, snapping a six-game winning streak in the series for the Tigers. The Tigers hit just 3-of-15 shots from behind the 3-point line, while the Gamecocks were 6-of-13 from 3-point range. Obviously it was a very competitive game back and forth all night,” Clemson head coach Brad Brownell said. “I thought both players on both teams really competed and, unfortunately for us, we're having trouble finishing some plays around the rim. But obviously our shooting is not where it needs to be. We just couldn't keep up offensively. Our defense was good enough, but offensively we have to make more shots and finish more plays.” Bruce Ellington, the cousin of Clemson running back Andre Ellington, scored 14 points, including a critical 3-pointer in the final minute. The Gamecocks (6-1) led 58-55 when Ellington, a freshman, dribbled away much of the 35 second clock before nailing a trey from the left side of the arc. The Tigers (5-3) pulled to within 62-60 on Andre Young's two foul shots with 16 seconds to go, but Sam Muldrow followed with a pair of free throws of his own to ice things for South Carolina. Muldrow finished with 13 points and five blocks in the series closest game since the Tigers began their streak in 2004 with a 63-62 win. Young led the Tigers with 15 points. South Carolina started quickly as the Gamecocks opened a 13-4 lead. South Carolina's margin was still 20-13 when Clemson took off on a 10-0 run to take the lead. It wouldn't last, however, as the Gamecocks pressed their advantage under the boards, and pushed the lead to 34-29. Young, however, collected a loose ball and made a basket as time ran out that left Clemson down 34-31 at the break. The Gamecocks appeared to take control midway through the second half when Cooke's inside shot put them ahead 43-35. The Tigers, though, tied things over the next four minutes as Stitt and Young had 3-pointers. Brownell said turnovers were a killer for his team. “There were some bad ones,” he said. “We ran two actions and I think both guys were going to be wide-open. Demontez [Stitt] threw the one backwards to Milton [Jennings] at the top of the key and threw it at his ankles when he was wide-open. Then Tanner [Smith] threw the one to Andre [Young] when he really wasn't quite looking, and that's what I'm talking about. They're not quite familiar with some of those things, and we don't execute as well as we need to. Both guys were going to be wide-open, and we don't get a shot on either possession. That's a killer in a possession game.” 
Brad Brownell post-game press conference (WMA format)
VISITORS: Clemson 5-3
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