Clemson Women’s Basketball To Host In-State Rival South Carolina On Monday Night

Jan. 1, 2006

CLEMSON, SC – The Clemson Lady Tigers basketball team, in its last non-conference game of the season, will open the new year by hosting in-state rival South Carolina. The teams will take to the court at 7:00 PM on Monday, Jan. 2 at Littlejohn Coliseum. Clemson has won four of its last five contests for an overall record of 6-7, while the Gamecocks bring a six-game winning streak into town. South Carolina boasts an 8-3 record for the 2005-06 season. Fans can follow the action on the radio on the Clemson Tigers Sports Network with Don Munson and Kanetra Queen or via the Internet by accessing livestats on www.clemsontigers.com.

Senior Julie Talley continues to lead the Lady Tigers with a 10.9 scoring average, but sophomore red-shirt Maxienne White has played well as of late for head coach Cristy McKinney’s squad. The Pensacola, FL native has posted double figures in five of Clemson’s last six games, including holding team-high honors with 12 points against Georgetown on Dec. 30. She is now averaging 9.5 points per game, which ranks second on the team. Point guard Tasha Taylor bettered her league-leading assist per game average with eight against the Hoyas to bring her season total to 86.

Scouting the South Carolina Gamecocks Junior Melanie Johnson leads an 8-3 South Carolina team, averaging 10.5 points and 6.8 rebounds per game. Both are team-highs for the Gamecocks, who bring a six-game winning streak into Littlejohn Coliseum on Monday night. However, the contest will be the team’s first of the season on an opponent’s home court.

Fellow junior Stacy Booker is also averaging double figures for the 2005-06 season with a 10.3 point per game ratio. Demetress Adams has collected 6.7 boards per game to help South Carolina post a 47.0 rebound per game mark.

The Gamecocks have averaged 74.5 points per game in their first 11 contests, while allowing the opposition only 48.3 per game. They are shooting 45.4% from the field and holding opponents to just 28.9%.

The Series Monday’s contest between Clemson and South Carolina will be the 51st meeting between the rival schools, with the Lady Tigers holding a 31-19 advantage in the series score. Clemson has won the last two games in thrilling fashion, posting consecutive overtime victories over the Gamecocks. Clemson also leads South Carolina, 21-4, in games played at Littlejohn Coliseum, including eight straight wins on its home court. The Gamecocks last defeated the Lady Tigers in Clemson during the 1989-90 season and their last victory over Clemson was during the 2002-03 season in Columbia, SC.

Seniors Julie Talley and Tasha Phillips played large roles in the Lady Tigers’ last two wins against their arch rival. Talley hit a three-point shot to put Clemson ahead for good in the 2003-04 game, while Phillips scored 22 points in Columbia last season to aid the Lady Tiger victory.