Big Second Half Pushes Tigers Past Texas Southern

GREENVILLE, S.C. — Clemson men’s basketball took home a 76-56 victory over Texas Southern at The Well on Thursday. The win moved the Tigers to 3-0 on their season, while Texas Southern fell to 0-3. Clemson overcame a halftime deficit, its first of the season, to win by the final lopsided margin.

“What a terrific second half for our team,” said head coach Brad Brownell. “We made a consistent effort to get the ball inside, and that’s what we did. I thought our guards showed good discipline.

“I am really proud of the way our kids came out after halftime.”

Sidy Djitte scored a career-high in both points (13) and rebounds (11), securing his first double-double as a Tiger.

“Sidy is one of our most improved players,” Brownell said. “I give the credit to him because [his game] is a product of two years of labor.”

Jaron Blossomgame scored double figures (22) for the third time this season, while contributing nine rebounds as well. Jordan Roper also put up double figures (14) for the second straight game, one of five Tigers to make that claim Thursday.

The opening half got off to a slow start for the Tigers. They trailed 12-4 before the first media timeout. However, they were able to get things moving thanks to a pair of threes by Jordan Roper. From then on, it was a back and forth affair on the court, with the Tigers heading into the half trailing 33-31.

The Tigers got off to a hot start in the second half, going on a 12-0 run over 3:02 and improving their cushion to 43-35. Djitte’s 10 points in the second half sparked the Tiger offense. Blossomgame also came to life with 14 of his points after intermission.

The Tigers travel to Las Vegas, Nev., to take part in next week’s Men Who Speak Up Main Event at the MGM Grand. Clemson faces UMass on Monday, November 23 at 9:30 p.m. ET, with the winner advancing to face Creighton or Rutgers.