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No. 22 Clemson struggles past Presbyterian

Nov 22, 2007 - 5:48 AM CLEMSON, South Carolina (Ticker) -- Clemson got a much tougher test than expected from Presbyterian.

K.C. Rivers led a balanced attack with 18 points as the 22nd-ranked Tigers finally pulled away for a 74-57 victory over the pesky Blue Hose on Wednesday night.

Cliff Hammonds added 14 points and James Mays 13 for Clemson (4-0), which has won its last 17 games in November.

Al'Lonzo Coleman scored 18 points and Pat Kiscaden had 16 for Presbyterian, which fell to 0-6 in its first season at the Division I level and was playing its first Top 25 opponent ever.

The Blue Hose were playing their fifth game in eight days - all on the road - but it was Clemson that looked fatigued, allowing the visitors to hit 14 of its first 26 shots from the floor to stay within six points early in the second half.

Clemson used a 9-0 run to seemingly put the game out of reach. Terrence Oglesby hit a 3-pointer and Mays and Trevor Booker each converted conventional three-point plays to hike the margin to 53-38 with 11:49 to play.

Undaunted, Presbyterian charged back with an 11-0 run that was capped by a 3-pointer and jumper from Kiscaden to draw within 53-49 with just under nine minutes to play.

The Blue Hose stayed close until Oglesby hit another 3-pointer to spark a 7-0 spurt that built the margin to 68-55 with 4 1/2 minutes left.

Clemson also had a 10-0 run in the first half - with all the baskets coming on layups - and opened a 36-24 lead on Rivers' 3-pointer with 2:34 to go, but Presbyterian scored the final four points to get within eight points at the intermission.

The Tigers collected 14 steals - four by Hammonds - and forced 22 turnovers that led to 31 points.

Booker grabbed 12 rebounds to help Clemson to a 37-27 advantage on the glass.

Outside shooting killed Presbyterian. Kiscaden nail 4-of-8 3-point attempts but the rest of the team combined to go 0-for-15 from the arc.

Clemson now owns a 51-17-2 advantage in the all-time series, but it was the first meeting between the schools since the 1982-83 season.