Mar 12, 2009 - 1:52 AM
0 shouts(18) Clemson (23-7) vs. Georgia Tech (11-18), 2:30 p.m. EDT
ATLANTA (Ticker) -- After struggling down the stretch, 18th-ranked Clemson faces Georgia Tech on Thursday in the first round of the Atlantic Coast Conference tournament.
The Tigers (23-7) dropped three of their last four regular-season games, including a 96-88 defeat at Wake Forest on Sunday. Following a 15-0 start, Clemson went just 8-7 in its final 15 games to tie for fifth in the ACC.
The setback at Wake Forest cost Clemson a bye in the opening round of the ACC tournament and set up a contest against last-place Georgia Tech (11-18).
The Tigers swept the season series against Georgia Tech, winning 73-59 at home on January 25 and 81-73 at Atlanta on February 22. Clemson junior forward-center Trevor Booker recorded double-doubles in both wins over the Yellow Jackets.
Georgia Tech played well in its regular-season finale but came away with a 67-66 defeat at Boston College on Saturday. The Eagles' Rakim Sanders hit a 15-footer with 1.7 seconds left for the winning points.
Georgia Tech won only two conference games all season and dropped eight of its last nine regular-season contests. The only win during that stretch was a 78-68 victory over Miami on March 4.
From the Bleachers
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GEORGIA TECH: 86
CLEMSON: 81
Final
Mar 12 4:27 PM -
Georgia Tech 84, Clemson(18) 81 2nd Half - 0:07
RUWTbot
Added 60 roots (Close Finish, Upset)
Mar 12 4:22 PM -
GEORGIA TECH: 39
CLEMSON: 39
Halftime
Mar 12 3:25 PM
