Solomon Carries Clemson Past Winthrop, 64-59

Dec. 18, 1999

CLEMSON, S.C. (AP) – Will Solomon scored 22 points, including a 3-pointer to cap a 9-0 run to start the second half, as Clemson outlasted Winthrop, 64-59, on Saturday.

Solomon, who has been the Tigers (5-5) top scorer in nine of 10 games this year, hit five 3-pointers and had seemingly knocked the Eagles (4-3) aside as Clemson led 46-37.

But Winthrop, which won the Big South Conference and made the NCAA Tournament a season ago, cut the lead to 61-59 with 56 seconds left. After Clemson’s Thomas Nagys made a free throw, Eyo Effiong missed a 3-pointer from the top of the key with six seconds to go.

Solomon tipped away the Eagles’ inbounds pass and Andrius Jurkunas hit two free throws to preserve the victory.

Adam Allenspach had 14 points and 10 rebounds for Clemson. Jurkunas, the Tigers’ only senior, reinjured his broken right thumb in the first half and finished with eight points, six assists, four rebounds, two blocks and two steals.

Tyson Waterman led Winthrop with 21 points and was 6-of-11 from three-point range. Roger Toxey added 17 points for the Eagles, who made only 7 of 24 field goals in the second half after shooting 54 percent in the opening period.

Solomon had a 3-pointer as Clemson scored seven straight points to lead 35-30 in the first half. But the Tigers did not score a field goal in the final 5:22 and Winthrop tied it at 37-all at the break.