Clemson Beats Maine, 73-61

Dec 7, 2002

By JEFFREY COLLINS Associated Press Writer

ANDERSON, S.C. – Edward Scott scored 17 points to lead six Clemson players in double-figures as the Tigers beat Maine 73-61 on Saturday.

Olu Babalola had 12 points, Ray Henderson added 10 points and 12 rebounds and Sharrod Ford had 10 points and eight boards as Clemson (4-0) is off to its best start in six seasons.

Maine (1-5) was led by Kevin Reed’s 18 points. Justin Rowe, playing his first game this season after serving a five-game suspension, scored 12 points shooting 6-of-6 from the field and had seven rebounds.

Rowe scored six points as the Black Bears took a 17-12 lead eight minutes in. But Clemson went on a 16-0 run over the next six minutes, going 7-of-8 from the field while the Black Bears missed six straight shots and turned the ball over five times in the same span.

The run started with Henderson missing a lay-up, then a follow before finally tipping the ball in. Ford followed with a dunk, and Scott’s twisting lay-up gave the Tigers the lead for good at 18-17.

Clemson continued to pad its lead, taking a 44-26 advantage with a minute to go in the half before baskets by Rowe and Joe Campbell cut the Tigers’ halftime lead to 44-30.

The Black Bears got back into the game on an 11-1 run, and Kevin Reed’s 3-pointer with 8:39 left cut Clemson’s lead to 56-48. Maine could have been closer, but missed five of six free throws during the five-minute stretch.

Clemson coach Sharrod Ford ended the Black Bear run with a put back.

On the Tigers’ next possession, Scott hit another twisting lay-up that elicited “ooohs” from the crowd and put Clemson ahead 60-48.

From there, the Tigers slowed the game down and cruised to their 10th straight win over an America East Conference team.

The game was played at the Anderson Civic Center, the Tigers home away from home until renovations are completed next month at Littlejohn Coliseum.