The Tigers may have only taken 53 shots in their 80-67 victory over Rhode Island, but they made every opportunity count, knocking down 30-plus shots for just the third time this season. Clemson’s 53 attempts were the fewest shots taken by the Tigers this season.
The home team finished the night shooting an impressive 58.5 percent, the highest shooting percentage by a Clemson team since Dec. 14, 2002 when the Tigers shot 60.3 percent against Furman. Clemson’s 58.5 shooting percentage is the third best by an Atlantic Coast Conference team this season.
The evidence of Clemson’s offensive efficiency can be seen in their shot selection throughout the game. The Tigers took just five shots from 3-point range, acknowledging that their strength lies within the 3-point arc.
““We shot a really high percentage in the first quarter and I think a lot of that had to do with the energy the team brought,” said head coach Amanda Butler.”
Playing to their strengths worked from the get-go as the Tigers went 8-for-8 through the first seven minutes of the first quarter. Seven of those eight shots were taken in the paint, while two of the seven paint shots came on a fast break.
Clemson was highly productive around the basket during the rest of the contest, pouring in a season-high 48 points in the paint. Seven Tigers shot better than 50 percent, led by Kobi Thornton who went 8-of-11 in the game.
