Tigers Take Down Florida State, 83-74

Feb. 27, 2005

CLEMSON, S.C. (AP) – Sharrod Ford scored 21 points and pulled down 14 rebounds as Clemson climbed out of the Atlantic Coast Conference cellar with a 83-74 victory over Florida State on Sunday.

The Tigers (14-13, 4-10 ACC) led 48-36 with just over 11 minutes to go, but a 17-5 run by the Seminoles tied the game at 53 with just under six minutes to go.

The Tigers responded with a dunk by Ford and a 3-pointer by Cheyenne Moore.

Clemson would then hit 19 of 24 free throws in the final 4:16 and shot 31-of-47 from the foul line for the game. The Seminoles (11-17, 3-11) committed 32 fouls, and three Florida State players fouled out.

Moore scored 15 points, while Vernon Hamilton had 12 and Shawan Robinson added 11 for the Tigers, who need just one more win to be eligible for the NIT.

Al Thorton led Florida State with 15 points. Anthony Richardson added 13 for the Seminoles, who slipped into last place in the ACC.

Clemson outrebounded Florida State 40-25, and Ford’s 14 boards were more than all five of the Seminole starters combined.

Clemson opened the game with a 16-8 lead, but Florida State scored 11 unanswered points to take a 19-18 lead with just over five minutes to go in the half.

The two teams were tied at 27 at the break before Clemson opened the second half on a 10-2 run.