Clemson Women’s Basketball Falls In Final Minutes At Charlotte, 62-58

Jan. 2, 2008

CHARLOTTE, NC – Charlotte’s Traci Ray drained a three-point shot with just under two minutes remaining to put her team on top and added a free throw with 11.7 seconds left as the 49ers defeated Clemson, 62-58, on Wednesday night at the Halton Arena in Charlotte, NC.

Rookie Sthefany Thomas posted a career-high 21 points off the bench for the Lady Tigers, including four from long range, while talling five rebounds and three steals in the effort.

The loss dropped Clemson to 7-8 overall, while Charlotte improved to 8-7 on the year.

With the score even at 52 at the 5:36 mark, Whitney Hood made a field goal just inside the three-point line as the shot clock expired. Following a 49er foul shot, Thomas scored underneath the basket to tie her personal best.

The native of Wesley Chapel, FL then hit a jumper to five Clemson a 58-56 lead with 4:18 remaining. However, it was the final points of the night for the Lady Tigers as Ray scored four of Charlotte’s last six points.

“This was a tough loss,” said Clemson Head Coach Cristy McKinney. “I felt like we played pretty well defensively, but we just need to do a better job rebounding.”

Shannon McCallum and Danielle Burgin led the 49ers with 14 points apiece, while Burgin also pulled down a game-high 13 rebounds.

Hood, who earned her first career start on Wednesday night, also scored in double figures for the Lady Tigers with 12. Moreemi Davis led Clemson on the boards with eight.

A basket by Kirstyn Wright at the 10:40 mark of the first half gave the Lady Tigers their first lead in three games (14-12). The teams were then tied at 25 before Charlotte ended the period on a 6-2 run for a 31-27 advantage at the break.

The Lady Tigers will kick off their ACC schedule on Sunday afternoon as they travel to College Park to take on the fifth-ranked Maryland Terrapins.