CLEMSON, S.C. –
Rayshon Harrison and
Brandon Younger scored in double figures; but the Presbyterian Blue Hose (0-1) who led at halftime fell to the Clemson Tigers (1-0), 64-53, on the road in the season opener for both teams.
HOW IT HAPPENED
FIRST HALF – The game began with a few lead changes and several ties. With the game tied at 11 with 9:36 on the clock, the Blue Hose outscored the Tigers, 15-6, over the next eight and half minutes taking a 26-17 lead when
Kirshon Thrash scored inside with 3:16 left in the half. Harrison, Younger,
Owen McCormack, and
Zeb Graham scored during the run. With 1:16 on the clock, Younger scored inside giving the Blue Hose their largest lead of the game 30-19. Presbyterian led Clemson, 32-24 at the half.
SECOND HALF – To begin the half, Clemson scored four straight points cutting Presbyterian's lead to 32-28 just 47 seconds into the half. Behind baskets by
Kobe Stewart,
Trevon Reddish-Rhone, and Younger, the Blue Hose scored six straight points pushing their lead back to double digits, 38-28, with 17:04 on the clock. Clemson went on a 13-1 run over the next two and a half minutes taking a 41-39 lead at the 14:46 mark. McCormack scored inside for Presbyterian tying the score at 41. The lead exchanged hands two times over the next couple of minutes. With Presbyterian leading 44-43 with 11:54 on the clock, Clemson went on a 10-0 run over the next four minutes taking the lead for good, 53-44.
QUOTABLE
"It was a tale of two halves for us," Presbyterian coach
Quinton Ferrell said. "I thought our guys came out and executed the game plan pretty well in the first half. At the start of the second half, I was a little disappointed at our energy level. I thought we should have come out with more energy."
NOTES
- Kobe Stewart scored Presbyterian's first basket of the season on a layup with an assist from Rayshon Harrison 35 seconds into the game.
- Presbyterian outscored Clemson, 34-22, on points in the paint.
- The Blue Hose also had a 15-5 advantage in second-chance points after finishing the game with 12 offensive rebounds.
- Harrison scored 12 points for his 20th career double-digit scoring game.
- Younger scored 12 points for his fifth double-figure scoring game at Presbyterian.
NEXT GAME
The Blue Hose host VMI in their home opener at the Templeton Center this Friday, November 12 at 7 p.m.
