Tigers Edge Seminoles, 56-54

Jan. 12, 2005

TALLAHASSEE, Fla. (AP) – Olu Babalola hit a go-ahead jumper with just over two minutes remaining and Clemson’s defense made up for a poor shooting night to help the Tigers to a 56-54 win over Florida State on Wednesday night.

The Tigers (10-5, 1-2 Atlantic Coast Conference) snapped a 12-game conference road losing streak, which extended back to a 73-64 victory against Virginia in February 2003. Clemson shot just 35 percent from the field, but took advantage of 22 FSU turnovers.

The Seminoles (9-7, 1-2) failed to hit another field goal following Von Wafer’s 3-pointer with 4:26 to play, getting only two free throws from Alexander Johnson the rest of the way. Florida State committed two costly turnovers in the game’s final 1:49.

The Seminoles’ leading scorer, Wafer, had been FSU’s best long range shooter, but the Clemson defense held him to just 5 points and one 3-pointer on 2-of-8 shooting.

Cliff Hammonds led Clemson with 12 points while Sharrod Ford added 11 points and 12 rebounds and Shawan Robinson finished with 10 points.

Johnson was the only Florida State player to score in double-figures with a career-high 20 points, but he was limited in the closing stretch after picking up his fourth foul with 6:58 to go.

Clemson led 27-26 at halftime, despite shooting a dismal 28.6 percent from the field. The Seminoles held Clemson without a basket until Vernon Hamilton’s 3-pointer nearly eight minutes into the game.