Tigers Fall In Overtime Thriller

Feb. 8, 2006

CLEMSON, S.C. (AP) – Jamon Gordon scored 21 points and Zabian Dowdell added 19 to lift Virginia Tech past Clemson 75-74 in overtime on Wednesday.

Gordon added 16 rebounds for the Hokies (13-10, 3-7 Atlantic Coast Conference), who forced the extra period by rallying from a 9-point deficit. Dowdell’s 3 with 5 seconds left in regulation sent the game to overtime.

Clemson (14-9, 3-7) had several chances to take the lead in the final moments of overtime, but couldn’t convert. Shawan Robinson had 17 points and Akin Akingbala added 16 for the Tigers.

In overtime, Tech took a 75-74 lead after Dowdell’s basket. Then began a series of missed opportunities for both teams.

Clemson’s Cliff Hammonds missed a shot to give the Tigers the lead, and Clemson immediately fouled Gordon with 28 seconds left.

He missed the first attempt of a one-and-one, giving Clemson another chance. But Vernon Hamilton missed for the Tigers and Clemson fouled again, sending Dowdell to the line with 9.2 seconds left in the game.

Dowdell missed both attempts, and Clemson had one last chance, but Hammonds missed and a tip-in at the buzzer was no good.

Virginia Tech missed their final five free-throw attempts and made just 10-of-19 for the game.

The Tigers committed 25 turnovers.