Lady Tigers Drop Sunday Contest in a Shootout

Dec. 4, 2011

CLEMSON, SC – The Clemson Lady Tigers fell to Charleston Southern on Sunday afternoon by an 82-77 margin in Littlejohn Coliseum. Clemson (3-4) had four players in double-figures, but the Buccaneers (6-2) hit ten threes, and shot .492 from the field, and were efficient off of Clemson’s turnovers.

Clemson held big advantages on the boards (50-29), in the paint (42-36), and off the bench (39-13), but couldn’t close out the scrappy Bucs in the second half. Shaniqua Pauldohad 25 points (9-14 FG, 7-8 FT) and 10 rebounds for her second double-double of the season and fifth of her career.

Charleston Southern’s Lakeitha Alston had 31 points and 10 boards to lead all players, while CSU hit 10-28 three-point goals in the game to help offset Clemson’s 24-12 free throw scoring advantage. Clemson went cold behind the arc, hitting just 1-11 attempts, a Chancie Dunnjumper from the wing in the second half.

Dunn had 11 points for her second career game in double-figures, while freshmen Nikki Dixon and Natiece Fordeach had 11 points as well. Dixon filled the stat sheet with season highs in rebounds (8) and assists (6), while also tallying three steals. Ford’s 11 points were a career-best for the freshman, who hit 5-8 from the floor and also pulled down seven boards and had two blocks.

Charleston Southern came out quick early, taking an 8-1 lead, prompting an Itoro Colemantimeout. The Lady Tigers head Coleman loud and clear, responding with a 10-0 run to take an 11-8 lead. The Bucs responded, eventually taking a nine-point lead at 40-31, before Clemson closed it to four on back-to-back jumpers from Dunn.

The Buccaneers took a 43-36 lead into halftime. Trailing by ten at 47-37, Clemson went on a 12-2 run starting at a 17:37 of the second half. The game stayed close for much of the help, with neither team grabbing a foothold of more than six points the rest of the game. With the game knotted at 77-77, The Bucs hit three of four free throws down the stretch, and closed out the game with a 5-0 run for the 82-77 victory.

Clemson fell to 12-1 all-time against Charleston Southern, and 10-1 at home. The Lady Tigers return to action on Dec. 9 in Michigan against Oakland.

Clemson vs. Charleston Southern Postgame NotesDecember 4, 2011 – 12:00 PMTeam Notes* Clemson freshmen Nikki Dixon and Natiece Ford both scored double-figure points in today’s game. Clemson freshmen have now combined for 11 double-figure point games this season.* Clemson held their first six opponents of the season under .400 percent shooting, which was ended today with Charleston Southern shooting .492 That is the longest such streak since the Lady Tigers went seven straight games last season holding their opponent below .400 percent shooting.* The Lady Tigers had four different players score double-figure points in today’s game. Shaniqua Pauldo (25), Nikki Dixon (11), Chancie Dunn (11) and Natiece Ford (11) all scored double-figure points. That is the second time this season that Clemson has accomplished that feat. The Lady Tigers also had four different players score double-figure points against S.C. State.* The Lady Tigers made a season-high 24 free throws on 34 attempts in today’s game. That is the most free throws made since November 21, 2003, when Clemson made 26 free throws against South Carolina en route to a 103-99 win.Individual Notes* Shaniqua Pauldo led the Tigers with season-high 25 points and 10 rebounds. It is her third career double-double (second this season) and the tenth 20+ point game of her career. Pauldo’s 25 points is just one point shy of her career-high of 26 points, which came in the season-opener last season.* Pauldo also made a career high tying seven free throws on eight attempts.* Natiece Ford recorded a career-high 11 points and added seven rebounds in today’s game. Ford played 21 minutes in today’s game, also a career-high.* Nikki Dixon recorded a career-high in rebounds (8) and assists (6) in today’s game. She also scored 11 points, giving her double-figure points in every game this season. The freshman is only Clemson player to score in every game this season and is now averaging 14.0 points for the year.* Chancie Dunn added 11 points for the Lady Tigers in today’s game. It is her first double-figure point game of the season and the second of her career.