Fourth Quarter Flurry Propels Tigers To Victory Against The Wolfpack, 75-65

Clemson, S.C. – Five Tigers scored double-digit points to lead Clemson women’s basketball (12-5, 3-2 ACC) against NC State (11-5, 4-1 ACC), 75-65 on Thursday night for its first victory over the Wolfpack in 15 years (Jan. 6, 2011).

For the first time since December 2022, five Tigers scored in double figures. Leading the way was Rachael Rose with a season-high 19 points. Raven Thompson had 14 points of her own, nine of which came in the fourth quarter. Taylor Johnson-Matthews (13) and Rusne Augustinaite (11) joined them in double figures. Rounding out the group was a double-double by Mia Moore (10 points, 10 rebounds, four assists), whose 10 points landed her within three of 1,000 career points. 

The Tigers won the turnover battle on both ends of the floor. Clemson turned the ball over a season-low seven times. The Tiger defense forced 10 NC State giveaways and capitalized on them, scoring 16 points off the Wolfpack’s turnovers.

NC State was led by Tilda Trygger (19 points), Khamil Pierre (17 points) and Zoe Brooks (15 points).

HOW THE GAME WAS DECIDED
For the first three quarters, it was a back-and-forth affair. NC State led by four after one period, and the Tigers led by two at halftime, 39-37. Down by five points heading into the fourth quarter, the Tigers came out of the break swinging. Back-to-back 3-pointers by Rose and Johnson-Matthews kick-started a 20-3 scoring run for Clemson that spanned almost seven minutes.

HEAD COACH SHAWN POPPIE SAID

HIGHLIGHTS

NOTABLE NUMBERS

• Tonight’s victory marked Clemson’s first win over NC State since Jan. 6, 2011 (15 years) and its first home victory over the Wolfpack since Jan. 31, 2010.
• Clemson captured its second-straight Quad One Victory, with both wins coming by a double-digit margin (2-5 in Quad One Games this season).
• Clemson collected its 31st win against NC State, but the Wolfpack continues to hold a 65-31 all–time advantage in the series.
• Rose scored a season-high 19 points, shooting 8-12 from the field and 3-4 from beyond the arc. Her 19 points were good for her eighth game this season, scoring 10-plus and her fourth time doing so in the last six games.
• The Tiger offense took care of the ball, only turning it over seven times, a season low.
• Thompson (14 points) registered her third straight game scoring in double-digits.
• Johnson-Matthews (13 points) scored 10-plus for the eighth time this season and sank three three-pointers for the fourth time this year.
• Augustinaite (11 points) scored in double figures once again, her eleventh such game this year.
• Moore registered her fifth double-double this season, scoring 10 points and grabbing 10 rebounds.
• On the defensive end, five different Tigers recorded a steal.
• For the first time since December 2022, five Tigers scored in double figures.
• Coach Shawn Poppie earned his first career victory over NC State and his 26th victory as Clemson head coach, allowing him to pass Itoro Umoh-Coleman (25 wins, 2011-13) for the sixth most wins in program history.

UP NEXT
Clemson heads to The ATL for a showdown with Georgia Tech on Sunday, Jan. 11. Tipoff is slated for 4 p.m., and the game will air live on ACCN.

TICKETS
Fans can purchase women’s basketball tickets by calling 1-800-CLEMSON or at ClemsonTigers.com/Tickets/.

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