CLEMSON, S.C. — In their third straight game at home, the Clemson Tigers (6-3) increased their win streak to four games and remained undefeated in Littlejohn Coliseum with a commanding 83-64 triumph over the High Point Panthers (4-4). Junior Kobi Thornton shined for the Tigers, tallying 21 points and 10 rebounds for her 12th career double-double.
Clemson shot 49 percent from the floor and won the rebounding margin by 20 en route to its second double-digit win of the season. The Tigers utilized a well-balanced offensive showing to take the victory, with five different Tigers reaching double figures in scoring.
Graduate transfer Simone Westbrook tallied her fourth straight outing in double-figures, shooting 8-of-11 for 18 points. Fellow guard Danielle Edwards finished with 11 points in her 100th career start, while freshman Taylor Hosendove and sophomore Tylar Bennett tabbed 12 and 10 points, respectively. Bennett added 12 rebounds to her stat line for second double-double in the span of a week.
100 games, 100 starts 💪@DANNI_mals ranks sixth in program history for career starts! pic.twitter.com/XL5Pm5PJ2l— Clemson Women's Basketball (@ClemsonWBB) December 5, 2018
100 games, 100 starts 💪@DANNI_mals ranks sixth in program history for career starts! pic.twitter.com/XL5Pm5PJ2l
— Clemson Women's Basketball (@ClemsonWBB) December 5, 2018
The Tigers had the hot hand early on, taking a 6-0 lead in the blink of an eye. The Panthers gradually came into their own from the field, but the Tigers used a 7-2 run to close out the first quarter with a 19-13 lead.
Edwards sank a 3-pointer for the first score of the second quarter to give the Tigers 9-point edge, followed by a three ball off the hands of Camreé Clegg to put Clemson up 30-19 midway through the frame. A few minutes later, Thornton produced a three-point play, battling through contact for a layup and sinking the ensuing free throw.
Up 44-25 at halftime, Clemson used its dominance down low to build the sizable lead. Tallying 28 rebounds and 17 second-chance points through two frames, the Tigers also benefited from 19 points scored off High Point turnovers. Clemson’s rebounding advantage was due in large part to the play Bennett, who came down with nine rebounds in the first half alone.
Photos by Emily Goad
High Point came to play in the third quarter, shooting 36 percent from the field and embarking on a 9-2 run to temporarily challenge the Tigers. Despite being outscored by five points in the third, Clemson still held a commanding 14-point lead heading into the final 10 minutes.
Thornton continued her dominant paint performance during the final quarter, hitting layups and making the most of key offensive rebounds. Clegg iced the game for the Tigers, pouring in a dagger 3-pointer to put the home team up by 18 with under a minute to go.
High Point had three players reach double-digit scoring totals, including guard Lindsey Edwards, who finished the night with 19 points. Fellow Panther guard Emma Bockrath notched 17 points to go along with her nine rebounds.
The Tigers continue their homestand on Saturday, Dec. 8, when they host Rhode Island for a non-conference duel. Tipoff is slated for 2 p.m. with the game airing on ACC Network Extra.
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