Clemson Front Line Overpowers Wofford |
ANDERSON - Clemson's 79-72 season-opening victory over Wofford Sunday
afternoon at the Anderson Civic Center proved head coach Larry Shyatt's preseason analysis of his team to be accurate. The Tigers (1-0) went through stretches where they had trouble finding points, had early problems defending the 3-point line and struggled with foul shots. Clemson shot just 1-of-9 on 3-pointers and 20-of 32 (62.5 percent) from the free throw line. But in the end Clemson's front line, led by 19 points from Chris Hobbs, proved to be too much for the Terriers (1-1). The Tigers pounded out 46 rebounds, including 21 offensive boards, to provide numerous second chance scoring opportunities. "I don't think there were any surprises tonight," said head coach Larry Shyatt. "The important thing to me was that 1-for-9 last year might have ended up 2-for-23. But this team seems to know itself, and tonight made better decisions on shots for the most part." Wofford (0-2), who trailed by 15 at the break (49-34) and by as many as 18 in the early stages of the second half, cut the deficit to just three, 61-58, on a Tyler Berg jump hook with 9:11 left in the game. Ed Scott answered with four straight points - a one-handed floater in the lane and a pair of free throws one possession later - to push the lead back to seven, 65-58. Hobbs then took over, scoring eight points in the final 5:11 to keep the Terriers at bay. Wofford never got closer than four points down the stretch. "Hobbs was mad at Uncle Larry for sitting him down so much early," Shyatt said. "In fact he's probably still mad. But down the stretch he had the legs to make those plays. And going back to last year, at 274 (pounds then) instead of 254 (now), maybe he doesn't have the legs to make those plays." Terriers' guard Mike Lenzley led his team with 22 points, while Lee Nixon added 17 - including a 5-for-8 night from behind the 3-point arc. Scott matched Hobbs' 19 for the Tigers, with Sharrod Ford adding 12. Clemson is back in action Wednesday night, taking on High Point in Greensboro, N.C. Tipoff is 7:30 p.m. WOFFORD (0-2) Nixon 6-13 0-0 17, Sterley 1-5 0-0 3, Daniels 2-2 2-2 6, Lenzly 5-11 9-9 22, Stephens 1-8 0-1 2, Borders 4-12 0-1 9, Davis 0-1 0-0 0, Eaton 0-0 0-0 0, Wilkerson 0-1 0-0 0, Berg 5-8 3-5 13. Totals 24-61 14-18 72. CLEMSON (1-0) Babalola 2-5 3-4 7, Hobbs 7-10 5-8 19, Ford 5-8 2-6 12, Scott 7-17 4-6 19, Christie 2-11 4-5 8, Betko 1-1 2-3 4, Henderson 4-9 0-0 8, Robinson 1-1 0-0 2, Douglas 0-0 0-0 0. Totals 29-62 20-32 79. Halftime-Clemson 49, Wofford 34. 3-Point goals-Wofford 10-23 (Nixon 5-8, Sterley 1-2, Lenzly 3-6, Stephens 0-2, Borders 1-3, Davis 0-1, Wilkerson 0-1), Clemson 1-9 (Babalola 0-1, Scott 1-4, Christie 0-4). Fouled out-Borders. Rebounds-Wofford 35 (Berg 7), Clemson 46 (Henderson 12). Assists-Wofford 11 (Lenzly 5), Clemson 13 (Scott 6). Total fouls-Wofford 22, Clemson 18. A-5,000.
Scott completes the alley oop.
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