Clemson Holds Scrimmage

Oct. 21, 2005

Clemson, SC – Shawan Robinson and James Mays each scored 13 points to highlight play in a 20-minute Clemson Orange-Purple scrimmage at Littlejohn Coliseum Friday evening. It was the first public scrimmage for Oliver Purnell’s Tigers.

Twelve players took part in the scrimmage. Point guard Vernon Hamilton sat out the workout after suffering a concussion in practice this past Wednesday. He is expected to return to practice on Monday.

Robinson scored his 13 points on 4-9 shots from the field, including 3-5 on three-point attempts. The senior from Raleigh, NC enters this season with 140 career three-point goals, sixth highest total in Clemson history.

Mays, a sophomore forward, made all five of his field goal attempts and 3-5 from the foul line in recording his 13 points. Mays, who has added nearly 20 pounds to his 6-9 frame from last year, also collected eight rebounds, including seven off the defensive boards.

Freshman K.C. Rivers was the only other double figure scorer on the evening with 10 points. He also had three rebounds and two assists and was not charged with a turnover. Senior center Akin Akingbala also played well with nine points and eight rebounds.

Cliff Hammonds was solid as usual while playing the wing and point guard positions with six points on 3-5 shooting, five assists, two blocks and two steals.

In addition to the play of Rivers, Purnell also had fine performances from two other first-year freshmen, Julius Powell and Raymond Sykes. Powell scored seven points on 2-3 shooting and also had three assists, while Sykes had six points, three rebounds and four blocked shots.

“I was please with how we played this evening,” said Head Coach Oliver Purnell’s. “It is very early in the preseason, but we have worked hard. I think we will be more of an up-tempo team this year that likes to spread out the opposing team. We saw some positive performances this evening.

“Troy Mathis has been limited by a knee injury. He had surgery in the summer and it swelled up on his earlier this week. This was the first he has been able to play in the last couple of days. We are taking the next two days off so that will give him time to rest it.”

Clemson will play its only public exhibition game November 5 at 7:00 PM at Littlejohn Coliseum against Johnson C. Smith. The season opener is November 18 against Bethune Cookman, also at home.

Clemson Scrimmage stats (FG-A, FT-A, Pts)

Shawan Robinson 4-9, 2-3, 13; James Mays 5-5, 3-5, 13