Tigers Edged By Butler

ORLANDO, Fla. – Clemson (1-5) dropped a close contest to Butler (2-2) by a final score of 54-50 in the first game of the UCF Thanksgiving Classic on Saturday. Tiger sophomore Nelly Perry put on an impressive performance, tallying 19 points, six assists and five rebounds against  the Bulldogs. Fellow sophomore Justice Wright added eight points, four rebounds and four blocks.

Clemson got off to quick start, taking a 13-6 lead with 5:45 remaining in the first quarter. Butler countered with a 14-5 run to end the quarter with a 20-18 lead. The Tigers outscored the Bulldogs 17-14 in the second, behind 10 second-quarter points from Perry. At the half, Clemson led Butler 35-34.

Butler exploded offensively in the third quarter, as five different Bulldogs scored. Butler outscored the Tigers 13-4 in the third and took a 47-39 lead into the fourth. In the final quarter, Clemson fought back to cut the lead to three points (51-48) on a free throw from Perry with 28 seconds to play. However, Butler connected on three free throws in the final 21 seconds to secure the win.

Clemson will play again in less than 24 hours when they take on the Buffalo Bulls tomorrow at noon in the Tigers’ final game of the UCF Thanksgiving Classic.

Notes:

• Nelly Perry recorded career-highs in points (19), field goals made (7), field goal attempts (19) and steals (4).
• Justice Wright blocked a career-high four shots.
• Lexi Carter scored a season-high seven points and grabbed a career-high five rebounds.
• Aliyah Collier recorded a career-high three blocks.
• Clemson tallied a season-high 10 blocks as a team.
• Clemson only turned the ball over nine times, a season-low.
• The Tigers tallied more points in the paint, more points off turnovers and more fast break points than the Bulldogs.