Tigers Lose To Yale Late, 68-65

Jan 2, 2002

CLEMSON, S.C. (AP) – Yale’s Paul Vitelli made three 3-point field goals in a 45-second span late in the second half to lead the Bulldogs to a 68-65 victory over Clemson Wednesday night.

Vitelli’s three 3s were his only baskets of the game. His third 3-pointer gave Yale a 61-56 lead with 3:04 to play.

After the two teams traded field goals, the Tigers got a 3-point goal from Tony Stockman to cut the Bulldog lead to 63-61 with 1:14 remaining.

With Yale leading 65-63, Alex Gamboa went to the foul line for the Bulldogs and missed the front end of a one-and-one. Matt Minoff grabbed the rebound and was fouled. Minoff made both free throws to increase Yale’s lead to 67-63 with 25 seconds left to play.

After Ray Henderson scored on a putback for Clemson, Yale’s T.J. McHugh missed the front end of a one-and-one, and the Tigers got the rebound with 14 seconds left. Clemson’s Edward Scott drove to the baseline and tried to throw a pass, but Vitelli gained control of the ball.

Edwin Draughan and Minoff led Yale (8-6) with 16 points each. The victory snapped a two-game losing streak for the Bulldogs, who lost to Division III Macalester on Dec. 29 before knocking off the Tigers (9-5).

Both teams struggled from the field in the first half. Clemson shot 28 percent from the field while Yale managed just 22 percent. Yale shot 53 percent in the second half to 47 percent for Clemson.

The Tigers dominated the boards and had 22 offensive rebounds.

The loss was Clemson’s third at home this season.

Clemson led 27-24 at the half.