Clemson’s Donte Grantham knocks the ball away from Miami’s Bruce Brown Jr. during second-half action in Clemson, S.C. on Saturday, Jan. 13, 2017. (Travis Bell/SIDELINE CAROLINA)
Two nights after a missed free-throw kept #19 Clemson from overtime at NC State, the Tigers made 16-of-17 from the line to defeat #12 Miami, 73-62, Saturday afternoon.
Head Coach Brad Brownell said after the game he drew up the first play for Gabe DeVoe, to “get him going” following his missed free-throw at the end of the game in Raleigh. DeVoe canned a three-pointer on the play, one of the 12 Clemson made from beyond the arc.
Miami Head Coach Jim Larranaga said their plan was to keep them off the three-point line, but Clemson’s persistence and defense won the day.
Miami Head Coach Jim Larranaga
Clemson’s Donte Grantham led four players in double-figures with 18 points, and Mark Donnal had his second straight double-digit game with 12 points.
Donte Grantham & Mark Donnal
Clemson head coach Brad Brownell congratulates Donte Grantham after he made a good defensive move against Miami. (Travis Bell/SIDELINE CAROLINA)
The Tigers won despite another high-turnover game, giving the ball away 12 times en route to 13 Miami points the other way.
In the end, Miami couldn’t match Clemson’s composure, as the Hurricanes shot a woeful 9-of-18 from the free-throw line. Ten of Clemson’s 16 free throws came in the second half, with Marcquise Reed hitting 8-out-of-8 in the final 2:16 of the game.
Head Coach Brad Brownell said despite the fact the quick turnaround caused some mental and physical fatigue, experience won them the game.
Brad Brownell
Clemson (15-2, 4-1) now heads to Chapel Hill, Tuesday night, for a matchup with the North Carolina Tar Heels. The Tigers have never won at UNC in 58 tries.