CLEMSON, S.C. — It’s tough to win when you’re playing against two opponents.
It seemed that way for N.C. State during much of its 63-51 loss to No. 12 Clemson on Saturday at a sold-out Littlejohn Coliseum.
While the Wolfpack played good defense – particularly against Clemson’s guards – and out-rebounded the Tigers, N.C. State found at times its biggest obstacle to victory was itself.
“We turned it over 18 times and about 12 of those were probably unforced,” said N.C. State coach Sidney Lowe. “We were right there. I was pleased with our defense, but the turnovers really hurt us.”
Clemson scored 17 points off the Wolfpack’s turnovers which also contributed to the Tigers’ 10-0 advantage in fast break points. N.C. State managed to tie the game four times but otherwise never led in its ACC season opener.
The win kept Clemson (16-0, 2-0) undefeated and off to a strong start in conference play with its next two games no easy walk – a home contest next Saturday against Wake Forest and then Jan. 21 at North Carolina, where the Tigers have never won.
“I thought our defense was the story with our ability to shut them down early and late,” Clemson coach Oliver Purnell said. “I thought our press was good for early turnovers and then again late (in the second half) to get a working margin.”
Both teams struggled to score in the first half.
Clemson led 6-3 nine minutes into the game before it briefly opened a 10-point lead, 15-5, with 9:26 left in first half on a 3-pointer from K.C. Rivers.
N.C. State (9-4, 0-1) cut the margin to twice before Clemson’s Trevor Booker scored the final three points of the half to give the Tigers a 24-17 lead at the break.
The Wolfpack started the second half with some new-found offensive efficiency, using a 12-5 run – fueled by two 3-point players and a pair of 3-pointers – to tie the game at 29 with 17:33 left to go.
Clemson responded with a 12-4 run of its own to take a 41-33 lead with 11:29 to go and never got closer than six after that.
— Jim Utter
Comments
pack needs a new coach
Sun, 01/11/2009 - 01:19 — saltydawg1sid can't get it done...pack fans, get used to this!!
No big surprise
Sat, 01/10/2009 - 16:51 — JPDOhioOne wonders how bad it would have been if the Pack had not spent the whole week working on beating the press. Actually, some of the guys looked spooked and were too tentative, especially on offense. It's not like Clemson made steals, they simply applied pressure and let the Pack hand it over to them.
The Pack's defense was good, but it's offense was pathetic, except for a few stretches like early in the second half. All they can do is get back to work (no, not going to make a "chopping wood" comment here), and take each game at a time. There is a lot of basketball to still be played and it is too early to give up on the season.
Bottom line- the Pack got beat by an outstanding team in a tough environment. The Tigers do look like the real deal. I like Oliver Purcell and wouldn't mind seeing his team go deep in the NCAA tourney.