Trevor Booker and David Potter go out winners

Clemson sent its seniors out in style Tuesday night. The Tigers beat Georgia Tech 91-80 in front of a packed house at Littlejohn Coliseum. The night began with Tigers coach Oliver Purnell crying as he honored Trevor Booker and David Potter in the pregame and ended with Booker and Potter walking off the court to a standing ovation from the appreciative fans.

Oliver Purnell postgame comments

Purnell post GT

This looked like it was going to be a tight game. It was tied at 41 with less than ten seconds to go before Clemson sophomore Andre Young hit a long three at the buzzer to give the Tigers a three point lead and momentum that they would not relinquish. Young’s 3 ball wasn’t as long as the one he hit at the end of the first half Sunday against Florida State, but it was just as important to triggering the Tigers to a win. They outscored the Yellow Jackets 47-39 in the second half.

Trevor Booker postgame

Booker post GT

David Potter postgame

Potter post GT

You know it’s a good night when you score enough points to get the fans free tacos from a local eatery. That happened when the team hit the 82 point mark. They could have scored 100 if they would have done better than 15-32 from the free throw line. Really, the poor free throw shooting was the only downer on the stat sheet.

 The overall biggest downer was Tanner Smith leaving the game with what appeared to be a right ankle injury. He didn’t return and was holding a crutch and in an walking boot when he left the arena. His status for Sunday’s game at Wake Forest is questionable at best.

This win all but locks the Tigers into the NCAA tournament. They are 21-8 and 9-6 in the conference and will be playing with house money Sunday at Wake. Of course a top four seed in the ACC tournament is still important and that can be clinched with a win over the Deacons. Also, with each win the Tiger seeding in the NCAA Tourney will surely improve.

Sunday’s game at Wake Forest will tip off at 6:00 in Winston-Salem.

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