Clemson Shines in the 2nd Half to Beat Winthrop

The Clemson Tigers faced off against the Winthrop Eagles in an exciting basketball matchup on November 6, 2023. The game took place in Clemson, South Carolina, and the atmosphere was electric. Clemson emerged victorious with a final score of 78-56, showcasing their dominance on the court.

First Half Action

The game started with a slow attendance, but as the minutes ticked by, the crowd began to trickle in. The Clemson Tigers took an early lead, with PJ Hall making his mark by scoring the first points of the year. The Tigers displayed great teamwork, with Ian Schieffelin grabbing offensive boards and making steals. However, turnovers plagued both teams in the first half, with Clemson committing 8 and Winthrop committing 11. 

You could tell there were some first game jitters and nerves beign worked through. Some players had ugly passes, not the smartest shots, and poor choiced fouls not on a shooter. Coach Brownell mentioned in the post-conference that all day he was trying to get his team to settle down before the game. He went on to say after half time they were finally able to settle in and get comfortable.

 Despite the mistakes, Clemson managed to maintain their lead and went into halftime with a score of 33-24. 

Second Half Surge

Coming out of halftime, the Clemson Tigers came out firing on all cylinders. PJ Hall continued to impress with his scoring, rebounding, and shot-blocking abilities. The team showed great energy and effort, maintaining their lead throughout the game. Alex Hemenway, returning from injuries, made an immediate impact by drawing fouls and contributing to the team's offensive success. The Tigers' defense also played a crucial role, limiting Winthrop's scoring opportunities and helping to create transitions to offense.

Ian Schiefelin also came out strong and in the second half alone he shot perfect from the field, 3-3, with 3 board and no turnovers. The second half was full of big plays, open dunks, and ball movement to spread around the Winthrop defense. We saw many Tigers on the court including Bas Leyte, Josh Beadle, and Dillon Hunter. No sign of the fresh Asa Thomas though. 

Key Players and Contributions

PJ Hall and Alex Hemenway were instrumental in Clemson's victory. Hall showcased his scoring prowess and versatility, while Hemenway's return from injuries brought a much-needed boost to the team. Jack Clark, despite limited preseason participation, made significant contributions off the bench, displaying his shooting skills and versatility. The Tigers' depth proved to be a strength, with several players stepping up and making an impact on both ends of the court.

Our Tiger Wire, Wire-to-Wire athlete of the game goes to PJ Hall who had the highest +/- of the night with 19 (he was tied with Alex Hemenway). Hall finished with 20 points, 5 rebounds, 2 assists, 1 block, and 1 steal!

Coach's Perspective

Brad Brownell, the head coach of the Clemson Tigers, expressed his satisfaction with the team's performance. He commended the turnout of students and acknowledged the team's initial offensive struggles. However, he praised the team's defensive effort and the jolt provided by the bench players. Brownell also highlighted the importance of depth and emphasized the team's ability to adapt to different opponents.

Final Thoughts

The Clemson Tigers showcased their potential and promising start to the season with a convincing victory over the Winthrop Eagles. Although there were some early turnovers and offensive struggles, the team's energy, defensive prowess, and depth ultimately secured the win. With notable performances from PJ Hall, Alex Hemenway, and the rest of the team, Clemson has set a strong foundation for the season ahead.

Stay tuned for more updates and exciting games from the Clemson Tigers as they continue their pursuit of success on the basketball court.

Final score: Clemson 78, Winthrop 56