Tigers Bounce Back, Down PC 69-41

GREENVILLE, S.C. — Clemson rebounded from a difficult loss to Alabama less than 48 hours later with a 69-41 victory over Presbyterian College on Tuesday. The win improved Clemson to 7-3 on the season, while dropping the Blue Hose to 4-6 overall.

Sidy Djitte posted his second career double-double, producing 12 points and 13 rebounds. Three players reached double figures in all, including Avry Holmes (12) and Gabe DeVoe (11). Clemson shot just 5-23 from three, but converted 16-21 at the free throw line.

Clemson’s offense struggled to find the basket early, making just four of its first 11 attempts from the field. With the Tigers up just 16-13, DeVoe connected on Clemson’s first four-point play of the season. Moments later, he picked up a steal and jammed in two more for his first dunk of the season. The flush gave the Tigers a 24-15 lead.

The Tigers pushed the advantage to 36-22 later in the period when Donte Grantham connected on his 18th three-pointer of the season. But PC scored the final four points of half, including two at the buzzer off a steal.

Clemson came out more purposeful in the second half, stretching the cushion to 54-32 after consecutive long balls from Holmes and Grantham. Djitte went on a second half scoring binge, converting three straight buckets to help push the Tiger lead to 62-34.

The Tiger defense held a third straight opponent to less than 30 percent from the floor. The Blue Hose shot just 27.6 percent, the Tigers’ best field goal percentage defense in 173 games under Brad Brownell. Clemson also held Blue Hose leading scorer DeSean Murray to 15 points, nearly seven below his average. Murray was scoreless after halftime.

The Tigers return to action Friday against the 25th-ranked South Carolina Gamecocks, who are 9-0 on the season. The two rivals will meet at 7 p.m. in a game that will be live streamed on ESPN3.