Clemson Drops First Game of the Season to No. 1 South Carolina, 65-44
CLEMSON, S.C. — Despite a competitive first half and historic crowd, Clemson women's basketball (3-1) fell to No. 1/1 South Carolina (3-0) 65-44 in Littlejohn Coliseum on Thursday night.
Tonight's game featured 5,629 fans, the fourth-largest crowd in Clemson women's basketball program history.
The Tigers were led by junior guard Mackenzie Nelson, who notched a season-high 17 points (11 points at the free-throw line). Junior forward Edie Clarke and senior Yakiya Milton both contributed, grabbing seven rebounds each.
Clemson held the Gamecocks to a season-low 65 points on 43 percent shooting from the field and 27 percent shooting from three-point range. However, the Tigers' offense struggled to ever find a rhythm as they shot 22 percent from the field and 13 percent from beyond the arc.
The Gamecocks were led by Tessa Johnson's 13 points and Chloe Kitts' second double-double of the season (12 points, 12 rebounds).
HOW THE GAME WAS DECIDED
After a valiant effort in the first half, Clemson went into the break down 30-21. South Carolina then erupted in the third quarter, outscoring the Tigers 21-7. Those seven Clemson points all came from free throws. The Tigers outscored the Gamecocks 16-14 in the final quarter, but ultimately it wasn't enough, as South Carolina secured the 65-44 win.
NOTABLE NUMBERS
- Tonight's attendance of 5,629 was the fourth-largest Littlejohn Coliseum crowd in program history.
- Clemson is now 15-2 through its last 17 home games.
- This was the fourth straight game with the same starting five for the Tigers.
- Nelson (17 points, career-high 11 made free throws) notched a season-high in points and scored in double figures for the second time this season.
- Milton recorded a season-high seven rebounds.
- Clemson recorded a season-high in both free-throw attempts (28) as well as free throws made (20).
UP NEXT
Clemson welcomes Stetson to Littlejohn Coliseum on Sunday, Nov. 15. Tipoff is slated for 5 p.m., and the game will air live on ACCN, the Clemson Athletic Radio Network, and SiriusXM. Sunday will be the program's annual ClemsonLife Game.
