Lloyd Leads Clemson To 84-73 Win At Virginia Tech on Thursday

Jan. 17, 2008

CLEMSON, SC – D’Lesha Lloyd hit double figures just 4:20 into the game and finished with a career-high 31 in leading the Clemson women’s basketball team to an 84-73 win over Virginia Tech in Blacksburg, VA on Thursday night.

Lloyd’s 31 points were the most by a Lady Tiger since Lakeia Stokes posted 32 during the 2003-04 season. The senior from Columbia, SC was 13-of-17 from the field and grabbed six rebounds in the game as well.

“I’ve gotten my confidence back after worrying too much about my shoulder and am happy to finally be playing well,” said Lloyd.

The win was Clemson’s second straight on the road, following a 85-73 victory at Wake Forest on Monday. The Lady Tigers are now 9-10 overall and 2-2 in ACC play.

“I’m really proud of the way the team played tonight,” said Clemson Head Coach Cristy McKinney. “They played together, and in the second half we were able to make some runs and make some easy baskets.

Christy Brown posted 19 points with five assists on Thursday, while Sthefany Thomas added 14 for her fourth double-figure game in the last five. Lele Hardy was one point shy of a double-double with nine points and a team-high 10 rebounds, while also tallying six assists in the contest.

The Lady Tigers had a successful night from the foul line, converting a season-high 22-of-27, as well as from the field, shooting a .475 (29-61) figure.

Brittany Cook led the Hokes (12-7, 0-5 ACC) with 17 points and 10 rebounds, while Utahya Drye and Laura Haskins scored in double figures as well.

The Lady Tigers were up by nine at the break, 41-32, thanks to a 48.4-percent (15-31) field goal percentage for the half. Down 20-15 at the 11:54 mark, Clemson went on a 13-0 run to take control of the game.

The lead stretched to 13 at 53-40 early in the second half, but Virginia Tech scored the next 10 points to cut the margin to just three with 11:07 remaining in the game. A lay-up by Christy Brown at the 3:26 mark put the Lady Tigers back up by nine and started a 6-0 run.

They then drained eight straight free throws in the final 1:33 to seal the victory.

Clemson will return to Littlejohn Coliseum on Sunday, Jan. 20 as the Lady Tigers will play host to Florida State. The teams are slated for a 2:00 pm tip.