Clemson Loses Another Close Game on Road

by CU Athletic Communications - Thu Jan 27 00:57:48 GMT-04:00 2005

CORAL GABLES, Fla. - The more things change, the more they stay the same. Clemson tried to rewrite the ending of their third straight road game hoping for a victory. What they got instead was just more of the same. In what has become the new standard for road game closers, the Tigers (10-9, 1-6) looked to secure a win with a three point shot, but fell short, this time to ACC newcomer Miami (13-5, 4-3). Olu Babalola missed a shot that could have won the game for the Tigers while Shawn Robinson missed another shot for the tie.

“We got a great look out of the corner,” said Clemson head coach Oliver Purnell. “We got an offensive tap in at point blank range. It just seems there is a lid on the basket coming down the stretch.”

Miami’s Gary Hamilton was fouled and then hit two free throws with five seconds left to seal the 69-65 victory for the Hurricanes.

The Tigers led 31-27 at halftime, but consistent offense in the second half from Miami brought the game to a 63-63 tie with less than three minutes to play. Clemson turned the ball over on consecutive plays that helped Miami get the win.

Robert Hite scored 21 points, while Guillermo Diaz finished with 12 points and Anthony Harris added 15.

Sharrod Ford scored 20 points and grabbed 16 rebounds to lead Clemson. Freshman Cliff

Hammonds added 11 points.

Clemson has lost 4 ACC games on the road by 16 total points. Last season, Clemson averaged a 16 point loss on the ACC road.

CLEMSON (10-9) - Babalola 3-13 0-0 8, Hammonds 4-9 0-0 11, Ford 8-19 4-8 20, Hamilton 4-8 0-0 9, Moore 2-6 2-2 7, Allen 0-0 0-0 0, Hudson 0-0 0-0 0, Robinson 0-5 0-0 0, Perry 0-1 0-0 0, Akingbala 4-5 2-4 10, Mays 0-1 0-0 0. Totals 25-67 8-14 65.

MIAMI (13-5) - Frisby 5-10 1-2 11, King 1-1 0-0 2, Harris 7-14 0-1 15, Diaz 4-13 2-4 12, Hite 8-14 4-5 21, Hamilton 2-3 2-2 6, Okpalobi 0-0 0-0 0, Wilkins 1-2 0-3 2, Hicks 0-0 0-0 0. Totals 28-57 9-17 69.

Halftime — Clemson 31-27.

3-Point goals — Clemson 7-26 (Hammonds 3-8, Babalola 2-8, Moore 1-5, Hamilton 1-2, Robinson 0-3); Miami 4-11 (Diaz 2-4, Harris 1-4, Hite 1-3).

Fouled out — Moore.

Rebounds — Clemson 42 (Ford 15); Miami 38 (Frisby 8).

Assists — Clemson 9 (Ford, Moore, Robinson 2); Miami 10 (Harris 6).

Total fouls — Clemson 18; Miami 13.

Attendance — 5,262.