Men’s Basketball Holds off South Carolina, 70-66

December 16, 1998

COLUMBIA, S.C. (AP) – Terrell McIntyre tied a season high with 27 points, including a driving basket in the final minute that helped No. 16 Clemson beat South Carolina 70-66 Wednesday night.

After BJ McKie sank a 3-pointer from the left corner to bring South Carolina within 64-63 with 1:20 left, McIntyre drove the left lane and hit a 6-footer.

McKie and Antonio Grant missed 3-point shots on the next possession for South Carolina (4-4), and Clemson (9-1) put the game away at the free-throw line.

McIntyre had his first game of 20 points or more since Nov. 19 against Western Carolina. Harold Jamison added 11 points and 10 rebounds.

McKie finished with 23 points and ended his career 0-4 against the Tigers.

Clemson has won five straight in the bitter state rivalry that got even more bitter in the first half with three faceoffs between players.

Clemson led 38-30 after Johnny Miller’s 3-pointer started the first half. But the Gamecocks went ahead 50-49 with 10:12 remaining on McKie’s driving layup. The game stayed close after that and was set up for a memorable finish by McKie’s long-range basket.

South Carolina’s LeRon Williams and Clemson’s Tom Wideman got tangled up in the first half as the Gamecocks set up their offense. Both got technical fouls, but kept mouthing off in the second half.

Williams shoved a forearm in Wideman’s face and kept it there as both went down court. When Wideman pushed it away, things got ugly. Clemson coach Larry Shyatt and South Carolina assistant Rick Callahan had to pull back the players as the 11,200 fans at Carolina Coliseum went wild.

Later, Andrius Jurkunas landed an unintentional elbow on South Carolina’s William Gallman, and Clemson freshman Chucky Gilmore mixed with South Carolina senior Bud Johnson in another battle where each received technicals.

The scraps seemed to sap South Carolina and inspire Clemson. McIntyre scored seven of his 15 first-half points as the Tigers used a 16-3 run to take a 27-20 lead. The Gamecocks were held to three free throws in that 9:16 span.

McKie had 12 points in the first half as South Carolina shot only 36 percent and trailed 35-27.