Clemson bounced from first round of NCAAs
By Bud L. Ellis
Defense wins in the postseason. The Clemson Tigers found that out the hard way in the first round of the NCAA Tournament.
The Tigers committed 15 turnovers and were stifled by Missouri in an 86-78 loss on Friday in the first round in Buffalo, N.Y.
For Clemson (21-11), the loss marks the third year in a row they entered the NCAAs as a higher seed and yet lost in the opening round. Clemson coach Oliver Purnell still seeks his first NCAA victory.
You can thank Missouri’s defense for this one. Those Tigers forced 15 steals and held Clemson to 44.4 percent from the field. Missouri, meanwhile, hit on 51.7 percent of its shots and made 21 free throws to Clemson’s 10.
Demontez Stitt scored 21 points to lead Clemson. Andre Young scored 19 and Jerai Grant added 12.
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Thursday, March 25, 2010 at 5:08 am by bud
Tags: Andre Young, Atlantic Coast Conference, Clemson Tigers, Demontez Still, Jerai Grant, Missouri, NCAA Tournament, Oliver Purnell
