The saying goes, “styles make fights.” When two contrasting styles clash in the ring or on the hardwood, it’s often a recipe that produces great drama and remarkable competition. Clemson met Georgia Tech at Littlejohn Coliseum in one such clash. It was a study in contrasts. Veteran big man vs. freshman sensation. Ferocious frontcourt vs. loaded backcourt. A team looking to challenge for an NCAA berth vs. a team searching for a catalyst to kickstart its season.
Despite a monstrous effort from P.J. Hall, who scored 31 points, Clemson ended up on the wrong side of the drama, Tuesday, falling to Georgia Tech 93-90 in double overtime.
Georgia Tech’s comeback spoiled what was a remarkable night for Hall, who not only finished with a career-high 31 points, but also stuffed the stat sheet with 17 rebounds, three blocks and three steals. Nine of Hall’s rebounds were offensive. Hall and Ian Schieffelin (20 points, 15 rebounds) combined for 17 offensive rebounds, helping Clemson to 30 second-chance points.
The Tigers looked to be on the better end of the fight late in regulation, leading 68-59 with less than two minutes remaining. Hall and Schieffelin had dominated in the post, but Georgia Tech kept firing away from deep, eventually hitting a streak and unleashing a barrage of 3-pointers that erased a late deficit to force overtime. The Yellow Jackets hit three 3-pointers in the final 52 seconds to tie the game up at 71-71. Freshman guard Naithan George hit the final two of those clutch shots with 12 seconds and two seconds on the clock, respectively.
According to Georgia Tech head coach Damon Stoudamire, his team was counting on their outside shots to fall, “Threes beat twos. We stuck around, stuck around and stuck around. And then it happened.”
Stoudamire also praised Clemson’s physicality, pointing out that he’d played alongside some tough former Tigers, mentioning Dale Davis and Sharone Wright by name. That superior physicality led to a 45-33 rebounding margin for Clemson and a 50-26 advantage in points in the paint.
Georgia Tech’s high-volume perimeter attack eventually turned the tide, however, wearing down Clemson’s resistance and physical advantage. The Jackets knocked down nine of their last ten shots, spanning both overtime periods, to put the game away. For the game, Georgia Tech hit 15 of 35 (43%) from beyond the arc, whereas, the Tigers were off the mark, making just 3 of 21 (14%) from the 3-point line.
Clemson head coach Brad Brownell addressed the 36-point disparity on 3-point shots and stated it plainly, “That’s a lot to overcome.” The Tigers (12-5) have lost four out of five and fall to 2-4 in conference play.
Clemson will hit the road this weekend, traveling south to square off with Florida State. Tipoff between the Tigers and the Seminoles from Tallahassee, Fl., is scheduled for 4 p.m., Saturday.
Final Stats
Brownwell is a good coach for 38 minutes.