Stitt leads another Tiger win

Demontez Stitt scored 16 points and Clemson defeated The Citadel 69-54 on Sunday. Jerai Grant and Devin Booker added 13 points apiece for the Tigers (11-4). Grant also had seven blocks.  Clemson won its sixth straight, despite shooting just 12 of 24 from the free-throw line, including 7 of 8 down the stretch.

Zach Urbanus scored 17 points and Mike Groselle added 14 points and 10 rebounds for The Citadel (5-9), which made 6 of 7 3-pointers before missing five straight in the final 3 minutes.

AUDIO: Brad Brownell post game press conference

The Tigers led by as many as 17 points in the opening half and held a double-digit advantage the rest of the way. Stitt made back-to-back 3-pointers and Milton Jennings added a basket during an 8-2 Clemson run that gave the Tigers a 52-36 lead with 11:03 to play.   The Bulldogs pulled within 11 with 3 minutes left after a pair of free throws by Urbanus.

Clemson forced 18 turnovers while committing only seven.

The Tigers opened the scoring with Booker’s first 3-pointer and weren’t threatened the rest of the way.  The Tigers extended the lead to 22-7 on Booker’s second 3-pointer with about nine minutes left in the first half.  Booker made all three of his 3-point attempts – all in the first half – but was only 2 for 7 from 2-point range.

AUDIO: Devin Booker post game interview

AUDIO: Jerai Grant post game interview

Final Box

 ”He’s waiting to talk with the new coach,” Mrs. Booker said.  “What we’ve learned is coach Brownell’s offense revolves around the guards.  That’s a concern.  He hasn’t used the post as a primary part of the offense.” 

 Mrs. Booker said her son has had some contact from an SEC school and a Big 12 school since he let it be known he might transfer.  She would not identify the schools.

Pitt won 522 games and made two state championship appearances during his tenure with the Yellow Jackets. The team finished 11-13 this season and was 6-4 in its Region. The Yellow Jackets lost to Fairfield Central in the first round of the upper state playoffs.

Pitt also coached Clemson standout Trevor Booker and his younger brother Devin at Union County. 

Pitt is regarded as one of the top coaches in the state and he will be missed.  It is a shame he couldn’t go out on his own terms.

Purnell beats FU again

Clemson continued its dominance of Furman Sunday afternoon at Litttle John Coliseum.  The Tigers defeated the Paladins for the 27th straight time 82-53.  The Tigers last lost to the Paladins on January 25, 1978.  The Tigers left  no doubt once again building a 17 point halftime lead and cruising from there. 

AUDIO:  Oliver Purnell
oliver purnell 12-13

Double-double for Booker

Trevor Booker led the Tigers with 25 points and 14 rebounds.  He was 12-15 from the floor.  His younger brother Devin added 11 points on 5-7  from the floor.  The Tigers did not make a three pointer in the game going 0-11 from behind the arc, and they were only 12-25 from the line.   Collin Reddick and Jordan Miller paced Furman with 11 points each. 

AUDIO:  Trevor Booker

trevor booker 12-13

AUDIO:  Devin Booker

devin booker 12-13

The Tigers improved to 8-2 and will play at East Carolina Wednesday night.  The Paladins fall to 5-3. 

Final Box