Tigers Declaw Wildcats, 57-44 |
CLEMSON - Nearly six minutes into Tuesday night's game things didn't look good for Clemson.
The Tigers trailed Northwestern 12-5, had already given up two wide open 3-pointers, a backdoor layup and a pair of offensive rebounds for baskets. Fortunately, that's when Adam Allenspach and the kids showed up. Allenspach and freshman Chris Hobbs each recorded double-doubles, and freshman Tony Stockman scored nine of his 11 points during a key stretch of the first half, leading Clemson to a 57-44 win over the Wildcats in the ACC/Big 10 Challenge at Littlejohn Coliseum. The win was no thing of beauty, thanks in large part to Northwestern's methodical style of play. The Tigers also got a scare when Will Solomon twisted an ankle and missed nine minutes of the second half. But a solid defensive effort and better rebounding proved to be a winning combination for Clemson. "As I said to our team, I don't wish this on too many coaches or teams to play against (Northwestern's) system, because it's a great system...you're worried about each and every set, and every player being a potential back cut waiting to happen," Clemson coach Larry Shyatt said. "I thought our guys did a great job as the game went on...I'm very proud of our big guys." Allenspach, especially, drew the praise of his coach. The 7-foot-1 senior center was scratched from the lineup just hours before tipoff because of recurring problems with his surgically-repaired back. But with extensive therapy from Clemson's medical staff he was able to play, and easily had his best all around game of the season. Allenspach had 12 points, 12 rebounds and a steal in 27 minutes of action. During one first-half stretch he scored six consecutive Clemson (3-1) points, took two charges and seemingly grabbed every rebound that came off the boards. His quick scoring flurry took the Tigers from a two-point advantage up to eight, 32-24. Northwestern (2-2) wouldn't get closer than five points the rest of the night. "I really admire his effort, always have," Shyatt said. "But I'm really happy and proud that something like that happened to Adam, because we needed him and he came through for us." When Allenspach wasn't dominating the inside, Hobbs was. The 6-7 freshman finished with a team-high 13 points and 10 rebounds, nine of which came in the second half. Down the stretch he pulled down important defensive rebounds on several consecutive possessions as Northwestern tried to shoot itself back into the game from the 3-point line. "You sure he's not a fifth-year, redshirt freshman," Wildcats' coach Bill Carmody joked. "That kid is slapped together. He killed us tonight." Clemson appeared well in control early in the second half, leading 42-34 and with possession, when Solomon landed wrong on his left ankle after driving into traffic and passing back to the perimeter. He left the game with 14:30 remaining and did not return until 5:25 to go. The Tigers' lead was just five, 48-43 when he returned. But the gutsy junior guard immediately hit a short jumper in the lane, and moments later made a nice feed inside to Hobbs who dunked for a 52-44 lead with 2:53 left. Solomon finished with 12 points, giving Clemson four players in double figures for the third time this season. Notes: Solomon's injury was diagnosed as a mild sprain. He is not expected to miss Clemson's next game Saturday against Western Carolina...Neither team shot well from the 3-point line. Northwestern was 4-25 (16 percent) for the game, while Clemson was 6-20 (30 percent). The teams combined to shoot just 1-20 from behind the line in the second half, including Clemson's 0-9...The Tigers won the rebounding battle 43-28, including an 18-9 advantage on the offensive end...Edward Scott played all 40 minutes for Clemson, as did Ben Johnson for Northwestern. BOXSCORE
NORTHWESTERN (44)
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