Tigers Dominate in 12th Straight Win Against The Citadel

Dec. 17, 2004

CLEMSON, S.C. (AP) – Sharrod Ford scored 15 points and Shawan Robinson added 13 points and Clemson won its fifth straight game, 76-52, over The Citadel on Friday night.

The Tigers (7-1), who have won 12 straight games against the Bulldogs, dominated the boards, outrebounding The Citadel 49-30. James Mays led Clemson by pulling down seven rebounds.

The Citadel (6-2) was led by Donny McLendon, who had 15 points. Kevin Hammack scored 14 points and J’mel Everhart added 11 points and five rebounds.

The Bulldogs shot just 37 percent from the field, while the Tigers shot 52 percent from the field in the first half to build a 20-point halftime lead at 40-20.

The Citadel committed 25 fouls and had three players foul out. Clemson took advantage of foul shots, going 20-of-34 from the line.

The Tigers now fly to Hawaii to play in the Rainbow Classic where they’ll open with Alabama-Birmingham on Tuesday. Clemson’s next game at Littlejohn Coliseum is Dec. 29 against East Carolina.

“The tale of the tape in this game was our inside game,” Clemson coach Oliver Purnell said. “We wanted to get the ball to Sharrod (Ford) and Akin (Akingbala). They played zone most of the night, but we still did a good job of getting the ball in the middle of the zone.”

Akingbala scored seven points and pulled down five rebounds for the Tigers.

“I’m very impressed with Clemson,” Citadel coach Pat Dennis said. “I said yesterday, ‘If they’re picked in the bottom of the ACC, no wonder the league has seven teams in the top 20.’ They’re big, aggressive, and they play hard.”