Career days from multiple Tigers push Clemson past Texas Southern
With many fans still recovering from Thanksgiving dinner and many more shopping retail stores for the best Black Friday deals, Coach Brad Brownell and the Clemson Tigers welcomed Texas Southern to Littlejohn Coliseum on Friday. Clemson improved to 5-1 this season with an 84-77 victory.
The Texas Southern Tigers entered the game (0-5), but when you look back at those five losses, 4 of those teams participated in the Final Four in the last five seasons. In road contests, Texas Southern lost to Gonzaga, Washington State, Ohio State, Syracuse, and Kansas.
Coming off a 67-60 loss in the Gildan Charleston Classic last weekend, Clemson came out just a step behind Texas Southern throughout the first twenty minutes of action.
With just over 4 minutes left in the first half, Gabe DeVoe nailed a 3-pointer to lead 30-29. That shot would give Clemson their first lead in the contest.
Once they obtained the lead though, Clemson never looked back. The Tigers led Texas Southern at the break 40-36.
In the second half, Clemson's lead grew. With career performances from both Gabe DeVoe and Elijah Thomas. DeVoe posted a nice 21 points for the Tigers, while Thomas was the Tigers leading scorer and rebounder with 26 points and 16 rebounds.
Freshman Clyde Trapp, who attended Lower Richland High School in South Carolina, posted career-high numbers in the victory. While his career is full of a short five games, Trapp totaled 5 points, three rebounds, and three assists.
Clemson will travel to Ohio State on Wednesday, November 29th as part of the ACC-Big 10 Challenge.
Career Highs Set Today:
- Points: Thomas (26), DeVoe (21), Trapp (5)
- Rebounds: Thomas (16), Trapp (4)
- Assists: Trapp (3)
- 3-Pointers Made: DeVoe (5)
- Free Throws Made: Thomas (6)
- Field Goals Made: Thomas (10)
- Field Goal Attempts: Thomas (11)
- Minutes: Thomas (34), Trapp (28)