Clemson Women’s Hoops Downs East Carolina, 67-53

Nov. 16, 2001

Clemson, S.C. — Chrissy Floyd scored a career high 26 points, while backcourt mate Krystal Scott added 16 points to lead Clemson’s Lady Tigers to a 67-53 victory over East Carolina Friday night at Littlejohn Coliseum. It was the season opener for both schools. Clemson is now 6-0 lifetime against East Carolina.

The victory was the 300th for Jim Davis as Clemson’s head coach. He became the first Clemson basketball coach, men or women, to reach the 300-win level. He has led Clemson to postseason play all of his previous 14 years at Clemson, including 13 NCAA bids.

Floyd broke her previous high of 24 points set on many occasions. The junior guard hit 11-20 shots from the field and added eight rebounds in 35 minutes. She could have reached the 30-point plateau had she shot free throws at her normal rate. She was just 3-10 from the foul line. Floyd scored 25 of Clemson’s first 50 points and was on track to score at least 50 percent of Clemson’s points, something only former All-American Barbara Kennedy had done in a game for the Lady Tigers previously. But, other Tigers came on strong at the end and she scored just one point over the last seven minutes of the game.

Scott had 16 points on the night, plus seven rebounds. She made 10-14 free throws in the contest. The senior point guard had just two points in the first half as she was in foul trouble. She picked up two fouls in the game’s first three minutes. But, Scott led the Lady Tigers down the stretch, along with Maggie Slosser, who had 10 points and five steals in just 21 minutes.

Clemson shot just 29.7 percent from the field, but the Lady Tigers forced 29 East Carolina turnovers with 15 steals. Clemson did not have a double figure rebounder, but won the battle of the boards 57-46. Clemson held East Carolina to 34.4 percent field goal shooting.

East Carolina was led by center Courtney Willis, who tallied 14 points on 7-12 shooting. She was the only player in double figures for East Carolina, who had a 16-12 record last year.

Clemson held a 27-20 lead at intermission, then extended the lead to 15 points at 40-25 with 13:52 left on a jumper by Scott. But, East Carolina hung in the contest. They cut a 13-point lead to five with 3:23 left. A jumper by Angela Sye from the foul line, her only field goal of the game.

But, Clemson went a 12-4 run to end the game and came away with the victory. “It was a little rusty at the start,” said Head Coach Jim Davis. “You have to give credit to East Carolina, they played hard and made us play ugly. We did not shoot the ball well in the first half, but our defense was superb. To hold them to 20 points in the first 20 minutes was outstanding. “Chrissy Floyd can score, what else can you say. She also played well on defense in the first half.”