Basketball
NO.16 CLEMSON IMPROVES TO 4-0, BEATING AKRON 72-69 IN CAYMANS, WILL PLAY UGA NEXT
- 2018-11-19 18:33:31
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The Tigers hung on to beat Akron 72-69 in the Cayman Classic Monday, improving to 4-0 on the season. They actually led by as many as 15 in the latter part of the second half and by 9 points with less than 20 seconds left, so it wasn't as close as the final score appears. The Tigers won their first 3 games by an average of 18 points per game, but those were all at home. It is just the second time Brad Brownell has started 4-0 as Clemson Head Coach.
Shelton Mitchell scored a season-high 22 points, and Eli Thomas, who only played 25 minutes in last week's win with lingering flu symptoms, posted a double-double with 15 points and 12 rebounds, both season highs. Marcquise Reed, who scored a season-high 26 last week, scored 12 of his 16 points in the second half. Aamir Simms continued his consistent production on offense, making his first 3-point attempt and scoring in double digits for the fourth straight game.
The Tigers will play 3 games in 3 days, so it will test the team's depth, which has been an issue early this season. Eli Thomas has already battled an ankle injury and the flu, and fellow big-man Malik William has been out with a concussion for months. Redshirt sophomore guard A.J. Oliver announced he would transfer after the season opener. Georgia and new Head Coach Tom Crean beat Illinois State on Monday 80-68, so the old rivals Tigers and Bulldogs will play Tuesday at 11:00 am ET with the winner advancing to the tournament championship. Two schools that are an hour apart will be playing each other in the Caymans. The Tigers beat the Bulldogs 74-64 in their last meeting 2 years ago, the season opener in Littlejohn. The game will begin at the same time as Dabo's press conference, but I'll do my best to update you in between interviews.
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