Clemson Downs Nike Elite

Oct. 31, 2001

Clemson, SC – Tony Stockman scored 19 points and Jamar McKnight added 18 to lead Clemson to a 98-85 exhibition basketball victory over the Nike Elite Wednesday night at Clemson’s Littlejohn Coliseum. It was the first exhibition game for the Tigers, who will next play November 12 against EA Sports.

Stockman made 5-12 from three-point range in scoring his Clemson team best total, while McKnight was 7-8 from the field overall, including 4-4 on three-point goals. McKnight scored his points in just 20 minutes, while Stockman played 26.

Starting center Ray Henderson was also a standout for the Tigers as he recorded a double-double with 12 points and 10 rebounds. The junior from Charlotte had six offensive rebounds and made 6-10 shots from the field.

Those were the only three double figure scorers for Larry Shyatt’s team. The Clemson fourth-year coach played 15 players in the contest. Nine of the Tigers played at least double figure in minutes and 13 different players scored.

Clemson had an 18/12 assist/turnover ratio and forced Nike Elite into 19 turnovers. It was the first game for both teams. Clemson made 11-27 three-point shots, 41 percent. Clemson was 39-81 from the field for 48 percent.

Clemson captain Edward Scott had a fine all-around game with eight points, eight assists and seven rebounds. The native of Eastover, SC was 4-8 from the field.

“We treated this as a scrimmage,” said Clemson Head Coach Larry Shyatt. “We were trying to play everyone in the first half and the second half. This will help us get a better feel for where we are. Now we have 12 days to work out the kinks before our next exhibition game.

“Jamar has been playing well on the offensive end. We also need him to play well at the other end of the court.”

Antwon Hall led Nike Elite with 20 points, while Rick Hughes scored 19 and had 10 rebounds. Dayrl Cunningham added 14 points and three steals. Former Florida star Ted DuPay had 10 points, but was just 1-10 from the field.

Clemson got off to a great start behind the shooting of McKnight. Clemson opened an 18-9 lead in the first five minutes. Clemson’s only senior made two three-point goals during the first five minutes. But, Nike Elite tied the score at 23 on two free throws from former Syracuse star Todd Burgan.

Nike took a 36-31 lead with 5:45 left in the half on a fast break layup by Curt Smith. But, Clemson then went on a 15-9 run over the remainder of the half to take a 46-45 lead at intermission.

Stockman made a pair of three-point goals during that 15-9 run. Nike elite took the lead coming out of intermission by going on a 16-8 run and held a 61-54 advantage with 16:08 left. Clemson tied the game at 63 on a free throw by freshman Jamere Hendrix, then freshman Chey Christie hit a three-point goal to give the Tigers a 66-63.

Nike tied the game at 70 with 8:37 remaining on a three-point goal from Dayrl Cunningham, a former star at Kansas State. But, that was the last time the game was tied. Christie hit a jumper from the middle of the lane with 8:23 left to put the Tigers up for good at 72-70.

Clemson went on an 11-3 run behind five points from Scott and a McKnight dunk and held a 83-73 with five minutes left. Clemson’s largest lead was 96-81 with a minute left after a steal and dunk by freshman Olu Babalola.