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Tigers Surge Past Hokies on Senior Day

CLEMSON, S.C. — Propelled by critical plays the senior leaders, the Clemson Tigers (18-10, 9-6) took charge down the stretch to defeat the Virginia Tech Hokies (17-10, 4-10), 73-66, in Clemson’s final home game of the regular season. The Tigers outscored the Hokies by nine points in the fourth quarter en route to a hard-fought victory on Sunday, sending seniors Aliyah Collier, Danielle Edwards, Keniece Purvis and Simone Westbrook out in style.

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Clemson tallied 20 points off 19 turnovers and shot 47 percent from the floor in the second half as part of its second-half offensive turnaround. Junior Kobi Thornton led all players with 23 points and 10 rebounds on the afternoon for her ninth double-double of the season. Thornton was especially dominant in the second half, dropping 13 points on 6-of-11 shooting and hauling in seven boards.

For the seniors, Edwards barely missed out on a double-double, scoring 14 points and picking up nine assists. The guard also had six steals, and her defensive tenacity resulted in several fast-break buckets for the Tigers. Fellow seniors Collier and Westbrook recorded 11 points apiece and poured in key shots late in the comeback win.

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.@kobi_thornton is doing WORK! 19 points, 10 rebounds…9th double-double this season 💪 pic.twitter.com/T0kq1slMat — Clemson Women's Basketball (@ClemsonWBB) February 24, 2019 Opens in a new window
.@kobi_thornton is doing WORK! 19 points, 10 rebounds…9th double-double this season 💪 pic.twitter.com/T0kq1slMat — Clemson Women's Basketball (@ClemsonWBB) February 24, 2019 Opens in a new window
Collier muscles her way to the basket for the 3-point play! Clemson leads, 56-55 pic.twitter.com/IZiTruIiH1 — Clemson Women's Basketball (@ClemsonWBB) February 24, 2019 Opens in a new window
Collier muscles her way to the basket for the 3-point play! Clemson leads, 56-55 pic.twitter.com/IZiTruIiH1 — Clemson Women's Basketball (@ClemsonWBB) February 24, 2019 Opens in a new window

That was a tremendous win and Virginia Tech challenged us in really specific ways, especially in the first half,” said head coach Amanda Butler. “The seniors showed a tremendous resilient spirit and I am so happy for them.

The Tigers held an early 10-8 lead at the end of a defense-oriented first quarter that featured a humungous block by Thornton in the early goings. However, Virginia Tech was then able to take control of the contest by way of a 15-0 run that culminated in the Hokies going up 26-17 with 4:05 left in the second period.

Clinging to a slim 51-49 advantage heading into the final frame, the Hokies could not stop a determined Clemson team that shot 50 percent from the field in the fourth quarter. At the 2:57 mark in the fourth, Edwards drained her sole 3-pointer of the contest to provide Clemson with some breathing room and put the Tigers ahead by four. With momentum on their side, the Tigers closed the game going 6-of-6 from the floor to complete the come-from-behind win.

GAME SELECTS

Photos by Daniel Green

Senior Day Ceremony

The Tigers honored their four seniors following their final game at Littlejohn Coliseum.

THE NEXT

The Tigers head to Durham to take on the Duke Blue Devils (12-14, 4-10) in Clemson’s final game of the regular season on Thursday. Tipoff is set for 7 p.m. and the game will air on ACC Network Extra.

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