Perry?s Career Night Not Enough for Clemson

CLEMSON, S.C.- Nelly Perry did all she could for the Lady Tigers Thursday night, pouring in a career-high 33 points against Boston College in Jervey Gym. Despite Perry’s historic effort, Clemson ultimately could not steal a victory from the Eagles, as the visitors from Boston College held on to defeat the Tigers, 67-64. Boston College improved to 14-12, 2-11 in the ACC and Clemson fell to 4-22, 0-13 in the ACC.

“I’m really proud of Nelly Perry and how aggressive she was tonight. She can do that every night if she wants to. I challenged her to go score 30 points tonight and she stepped up to the challenge in a big way,” Head Coach Audra Smith said.

Perry, a sophomore from Camden, N.J., recorded the best game of her young career, becoming the first Tiger to score 30 or more points in a game since the 2008-09 season. She also added five assists in the contest and did not commit a turnover in 38 minutes of action.

Halfway through the first quarter, Boston College held a 14-9 lead behind two early three-pointers from Kelly Hughes and Nicole Boudreau. The Eagles continued their hot shooting throughout the first quarter, ending the quarter on a 9-2 run to take a 23-11 lead into second quarter of play.

Perry came alive in the second quarter, scoring 13 of the Tigers’ 15 points in the quarter to bring Clemson within 10 at the half. At intermission, Boston College held a 36-26 lead.

Led by Perry, Clemson started the second half on an 8-0 run, holding Boston College scoreless for the first 4:47 of the third quarter. Victoria Cardaci knocked down a three-pointer as time expired to cut the Eagle lead to 48-46 at the end of the third.

Clemson clawed back in the fourth and tied the game at 59 on a Sirah Diarra layup with 2:28 remaining in the game. Boston College extended its lead to 64-60 with 40 seconds remaining until Perry converted an acrobatic layup to cut the lead to 64-62 with 31 seconds left. However, Boston College connected on three free throws in the final 30 seconds of regulation to secure the win.

“I also cannot say enough about Victoria Cardaci. She does exactly what I ask her to do and for her to be in double-figures in phenomenal. I’m proud of our effort and fight tonight and it’s something we can build on for Virginia on Sunday.”

Clemson returns to action on Sunday, Feb. 21 when they take on Virginia in Charlottesville at 1 p.m.

Notes:

• Nelly Perry scored a career-high 33 points while also recording career-bests in made field goals (13) and field goal attempts (24).
• Perry is the first Tiger to score 30 or more points since Lele Hardy poured in 32 points vs. Georgia State on Nov. 22, 2008.
• Perry’s 33 points are tied for the most by an ACC player this season.
• This game marked only the fifth time in school history that a Clemson player scored more than 50% of the team’s points and the first time since 2002.
• Victoria Cardaci knocked down four three-pointers, marking her sixth consecutive game with a three-point make. She has made 10 threes in her last four games.
• Clemson committed a season-low six turnovers.
• The Tigers tied a season-high with 25 three-point attempts.