Clemson defeats Virginia

Jan. 25, 2004

Clemson, SC-Lakeia Stokes scored 16 points, including 13 to lead a record setting second half comeback, as Clemson downed Virginia 60-56 in women’s college basketball action Sunday afternoon at Littlejohn Coliseum. Clemson improved to 15-3 overall, 5-2 in the ACC, while Virginia fell to 9-9 overall, 3-4 in the ACC.

Clemson trailed by 13 points at 30-17 at halftime, and by as many as 18 points, 39-21, in the second half, but came back to gain victory. It was the largest halftime deficit overcome to gain victory by a Clemson team since December 29, 1992 when Clemson overcame a 17-point deficit to win at Rutgers, 68-67. It was the largest halftime deficit overcome to gain victory in school history in a game played in Littlejohn Coliseum.

Stokes had 16 points and 11 rebounds in 34 minutes to pace the Lady Tigers. Senior Julie Aderhold added 15 points, including 12 in the second half. Aderhold made 3-7 three-point shots in the game.

Virginia was led by starting center Kate Kreager who had 18 points and nine rebounds. Brenna McGuire added 12 points, all coming in the first six minutes of the game. LaTonya Blue, Virginia’s starting point guard, had six points, eight assists and 10 rebounds, but she made just 2-13 shots from the field.

Virginia won the rebounding battle, 41-33, but the Cavaliers committed 24 turnovers. The Cavaliers were 0-8 from three-point range in the second half and 9-32 overall, 28 percent. Clemson won the second half 43-26 and shot 10-22 from the field on 45.5 percent.

Both teams struggled on offense in the first half. Clemson shot just 6-26 from the field and had 13 turnovers in scoring just 17 points. Virginia shot 42 percent from the field, but committed 18 turnovers. The Cavaliers made 5-7 three-point shots, however, including 4-4 by McGuire, who made all four within the first six minutes of the game. Virginia took a 14-2 lead to open the game and had the 13-point lead at intermission.

Virginia went on a 9-4 run to open the second half and led 39-21 with 16:19 left on two free throws by Anna Prillaman. But, Clemson cut the 18-point lead to nine on a three-pointer by Aderhold with 11:38 left.

The Lady Tigers completed the rally when Stokes hit a jumper with 5:53 left giving Clemson a 48-47 lead. The jumper completed a 27-8 Clemson run. The two teams then traded baskets and free throws down the stretch. There were five lead changes and six ties over the last six minutes.

The game was tied at 56 with 1:43 left on a free throw by Amanda White. Clemson then got the ball back and fed Stokes, who was fouled on a drive to he basket. Her two free throws with 23 seconds left gave Clemson a 58-56 lead. Blue then missed a possible game-tying jumper and Stokes was fouled in the rebound action. Her two free throws with five seconds left iced the game for Clemson.