Ford scores 22 to highlight Orange & White Scrimmage

Oct. 23, 2004

Sharrod Ford scored 22 points and pulled in nine rebounds to highlight play in Clemson’s Orange-White scrimmage at Littlejohn Coliseum on Friday evening. The event was held in conjunction with the program’s Alumni Weekend activities.

Ford, the senior leader from Suitland, Maryland, hit 7-17 shots from the field and 8-14 free throws in scoring his 22 points in 31 minutes. Ford was Clemson’s leading scorer and rebounder last season, the first Tiger to lead Clemson in both areas in the same season since 1994-95.

Olu Babalola, the only other senior on the Clemson roster this year, added 14 points and seven assists in 34 minutes. He made 7-13 shots from the field. Babalola had suffered a sprained ankle during pre-game warm-ups, but re-taped the ankle and played well.

The only other player in double figures in the scrimmage was freshman Cliff Hammonds. The 6-3 guard from Cairo, GA had 13 points on 5-9 shooting, added three assists and just two turnovers in 37 minutes of play.

Four other players scored between eight and nine points. Freshman point guard Troy Matthis made 3-8 three-point shots and scored nine points, while sophomore guard Jimmy Hudson added nine points, seven rebounds and a game best four steals in 32 minutes of play.

Shawan Robinson scored eight points and had a game high 12 rebounds, including 10 on the defensive boards. Freshman James Mays added eight points and five rebounds, while Sam Perry, a freshman from Piedmont, SC, added seven points and six rebounds.

Point guard Vernon Hamilton played just the first minute, but left the game after suffering a sprained ankle after making a layup. The injury is not serious, but he was held out of the rest of the scrimmage. Clemson will hold its only public preseason scrimmage on November 6 when the Tigers play host to Carson Newman at 7:00 PM.