Men’s Hoops Tops Virginia in ACC Action

February 17, 1999

CLEMSON, S.C. (AP) – Clemson played like a team that still had something to play for Wednesday. The Tigers got 15 points and 12 rebounds from Harold Jamison in the Tigers 88-65 triumph over Virginia, the team they’re battling to stay out of the conference cellar.

“We looked like a team that wanted to win,” Clemson coach Larry Shyatt said. “We were fearless.”

Clemson (15-11, 4-9 Atlantic Coast Conference) won its second straight conference game by 20 or more points.

“I have never doubted this team, and I have never been anything but proud of this team,” Shyatt said. “They’re getting to enjoy some time. They deserve it.”

The Tigers trailed 3-0 two minutes into the game but took the lead for good with a four-minute 17-4 run. The Tigers led by as many as 26.

Clemson shot 58 percent in the second half and 53 percent for the game, its best since a 57-percent effort against Maryland on Jan. 24.

Andrius Jurkunas and Terrell McIntyre had 13 points apiece and Tony Christie added 11. McIntyre also had eight of Clemson’s 21 assists.

“We’ve had 39 assists in the last two games,” Shyatt said. “I think that’s a positive sign that we’re looking for each other.”

The Cavaliers (14-10, 4-10) were led by Adam Hall with 18 points. Donald Hand, who had 27 points against the Tigers earlier this season, was held to four points.

“They played harder than us, and they beat us in every phase of the game,” Virginia coach Pete Gillen said. “Our concentration level was not good. We were a little giddy from the game Sunday,” he said referring to Sunday’s 82-79 overtime victory over North Carolina State. “I was disappointed in our maturity level. We have to play hard, and we weren’t ready to play.”

Clemson outrebounded the Cavaliers, 47-26, including 20 offensive rebounds.

“Clemson is big and strong,” Gillen said. “They just pounded us around.”

The Tigers led 42-27 at halftime by limiting the Cavaliers to eight field goals. Jamison, who had 11 points in the half, scored four of the Tigers’ final six points on a hook in the lane and two free throws.

Virginia finished the first half with four of its five starters saddled with two fouls or more.

The 23-point victory was Clemson’s largest against Virginia since Jan. 9, 1965 when the Tigers beat the Cavaliers 99-72.