Defense, heart power Clemson past #9 Duke
- Alicea Ulmer
- Jan 14, 2016
- 2 min read
Clemson 68 Duke 63 F
Blue Devils: Grayson Allen 17pts 7/9fg, 4 asst
Brandon Ingram 16pts 6/11fg
Tigers: Jaron Blossomgame 17pts 4/12fg, 6 rebounds
Donte Grantham 16pts 6/13fg
Tonight's matchup between #9 Duke and Clemson featured two ties and one lead change. Clemson held the lead for perhaps the most important ten minutes of the game. Foul trouble plagued a few key players for Duke in the second half. Chase Jeter fouled out with about 9 minutes remaining, Brandom Ingram and Marshall Plumlee were already sitting with four. After trailing by just two at the break, Clemson took advantage of the foul plagued Duke squad.
This huge home victory was sparked by heart and defense. Clemson recorded seven blocks and eight steals in the win. They also enjoyed a 36-24 advantage on the boards. Clemson limited Duke to just seven free throw attempts for the game, Duke came in with more free throw makes than their opponents take. while Clemson only took 13 themselves, they converted a stellar 92 percent compared to the visitors 29 percent.
Clemson held a seven point advantage during the final three minutes of game time, but a fiesty Duke squad put together a run to cut it to one. Matt Jones was awarded an and-1 but missed the free throw that would have tied the game for Duke. Clemson clinging to a one point advantage would get a floater in the lane to give them a three point margin. A layup at the other end by Grayson Allen made it a one point game again with 35 seconds remaining. A Jaron Blossomgame dunk with 13 seconds remaining put the lead back to three and the home squad was able to seal the deal at the free throw line to complete the upset.
Allen led Duke with 17 points while Ingram chipped in 16. Clemson was led by three players in double figures, Blossomgame' 17, Donte Grantham' 16 and Landry Nnoko's double double of 12 points, 13 rebounds.
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