CLEMSON, S.C.- Clemson (1-0) opened the 2015-16 regular season with a victory over Charleston Southern (0-1) Friday afternoon by a final score of 43-36 in Jervey Gym. Freshman Danielle Edwards led the Tigers with a 13-point, 11-rebound double-double in her collegiate debut.
The Tigers finished the first quarter on an 8-0 run to take a 10-4 lead as the second quarter began. Clemson forced the Buccaneers into 10 turnovers in the first period alone. The Tigers continued to pile on the defensive pressure in the second quarter, holding Charleston Southern to only 10 points on 14% shooting in the first half. Clemson led 18-10 at intermission. Sophomore Justice Wright led the Tigers with five first half points.
Wright picked up right where she left off, beginning the third quarter with four points in the first three minutes. Clemson held the Buccaneers to eight points in the third and led 36-18 heading into the final quarter of the contest.
Charleston Southern made a run toward the end of the game, but Clemson held on to defeat the Buccaneers 43-36. Edwards fueled the Tiger offensive attack in the second half, scoring all of her 13 points after halftime. Charleston Southern’s 36 points mark the fewest points scored by a Clemson opponent since January 2, 2014 when NJIT scored 37.
“We have kids that are super high energy and that’s really important. On the defensive end, it is definitely a positive. The biggest thing for us moving forward is we have to be a good defensive team,” Head Coach Audra Smith said following the win.
The Tigers are back in action on Sunday, Nov. 15 in Jervey Gym when they take on the Coastal Carolina Chanticleers at 2.pm.
Danielle Edwards recorded her first career double-double (13 points, 11 rebounds) in her collegiate debut.
Justice Wright recorded career-highs in both points (9) and rebounds (7).
Aliyah Collier grabbed 11 rebounds in her first collegiate contest.
Gadson Lefft notched six points and seven rebounds in her debut.
Edwards, Collier as well as sophomores Alexis Carter and Justice Wright all made their first career starts.
Clemson held Charleston Southern to 10 first half points, the second fewest points by an opponent in Clemson history in a first half (Alabama State scored 9 on 1/20/93).
Charleston Southern’s 36 points are the fewest by a Clemson opponent since Jan. 2, 2014 vs. NJIT (37).
Clemson pulled down 59 rebounds and outrebounded the Buccaneers by 20.
The Tigers held the Buccaneers to 23% shooting in the game, the worst field goal percentage by a Clemson opponent since Nov. 10, 2013 (Wofford, 21.3%).