Second Half Surge Secures Tiger Victory, 57-41
CLEMSON, S.C. – Clemson women’s basketball held Georgia Tech scoreless in the final 8:16 of play on Thursday night while going on a 12-0 run to secure a 57-41 victory against the Yellow Jackets in Littlejohn Coliseum. The victory snapped a four-game losing streak, including two overtime losses, to move Clemson to 14-12 overall and 5-9 in ACC play, while the loss dropped Georgia Tech to 3-10 in conference play.
Nine different Tigers scored with senior Amari Robinson finishing with a team-high 15 points going 6-for-10 from the floor. This was Robinson’s 13 double-digit point performance in an ACC game this season. Daisha Bradford and Brie Perpignan added nine and eight points, respectively, while Hannah Hank finished with a team-high 10 rebounds and added two blocks.
Early in the first quarter, Georgia Tech held a 9-2 advantage before Clemson was able to string together baskets from Eno Inyang, Perpignan, Ale’jah Douglas and Ruby Whitehorn. Towards the end of the quarter, Whitehorn capitalized on a fast break opportunity and Inyang made a layup of her own, to cut into the Georgia Tech lead, 16-13, at the end of the quarter.
The Yellow Jackets came out on another hot streak to open the second quarter extending their lead to 10. Clemson was able to cut into the lead, however, when Perpignan and Daisha clocked timely shots around the basket, Inyang tallied back-to-back blocks and Madi Ott grabbed a steal. In the final five seconds of the half, Perpignan made a layup to send both teams to the locker rooms with Georgia Tech ahead, 27-24.
Clemson was reenergized entering the second half, going on a 7-0 scoring run for the lead in the first three minutes of play. Clemson pushed its advantage to as much as nine and just when it appeared the Yellow Jackets were clawing their way back within striking distance, MaKayla Elmore knocked down a three and Clemson ended the third leading 43-37.
Kionna Gaines opened the final frame with a jumper in the first 11 seconds to continue Clemson’s momentum, and then she sank two free throws when Georgia Tech trimmed the advantage down to four points. The Tigers dominated the final 8:02 of play going on a 12-0 run and holding the Yellow Jackets to only 10 shots – none of which went in. Offensively, the Tigers saw points from Inyang, Perpignan, Bradford and Robinson to secure the 57-41 victory.
The Tigers are back in action on Sunday, February 12 at 2 p.m. when Clemson travels to Louisville.
