UMass Defeats Clemson, 54-51, In Women’s Hoops

Nov. 25, 2001

AMHERST, Mass. — Freshman Katie Nelson scored 10 points, including two free throws with 19 seconds remaining in the game to lead the University of Massachusetts women’s basketball team to a 54-51 victory over Clemson at the Mullins Center this afternoon.

UMass took a five point lead at the five minute mark of the first half, behind a three-pointer by junior Paige Harris but Clemson regained the lead with 1:46 remaining in the half, when Krystal Scott hit a three-pointer. With less than a second remaining, junior Jennifer Butler scored down low to give the Minutewomen a 32-31 advantage going into halftime.

The Minutewomen came out strong after the break. Junior Amber Sneed scored five straight points to extend the UMass lead to six points. Scott brought Clemson back, tying the game at 43 with 11:20 remaining in the game on a jump shot in the paint. She scored a game high 16 points in the losing effort.

The Lady tigers clawed back to within one point, 52-51, with only 42 seconds on the clock, but consistent foul shooting kept UMass on top. Nelson stepped up to the line for a one-and-one with 19 seconds remaining in the game, and drained both to secured the Minutewomen’s first victory of the season.

Junior Nekole Smith had a team-high 11 points and seven rebounds, while Sneed chipped in nine for the Minutewomen. Butler finished with seven points, seven rebounds and a season high three blocks for UMass. Senior Caroline Nehls had a solid game off the bench, going 3-for-4 from the field in only 13 minutes of play.Junior Siiri Liivandi had a career high six assists in the victory.

Julie Aderhold had 12 points and three assists for the Lady Tigers. Lakeia Stokes led the Lady Tigers in rebounding with four. Massachusetts outrebounded the Lady Tigers 36-17. The 17 rebounds is the lowest for a Clemson team in a single game in school history. The Minutewomen improve to 1-3 on the season, while Clemson falls to 2-1 overall. Clemson will play host to South Carolina on November 28, at Littlejohn Coliseum at 7:00 p.m.