SEATTLE — Lele Hardy scored 22 points and the Clemson Tigers broke open a close game in the second half to defeat Washington 85-67 on Sunday for the Husky Classic championship in Seattle.
With the Huskies holding a 52-50 lead midway through the second half, Clemson guard Kirstyn Wright scored seven points in just over two minutes as part of a 17-2 run to give the Tigers a commanding 67-54 lead.
Sami Whitcomb had 12 second-half points for the Huskies (2-3), but Washington was only able to close the gap to eight points with 4:37 remaining. Whitcomb finished with a team-high 18 points.
After quickly falling behind 4-0, the Tigers mounted a 15-2 run behind eight points from Hardy.
The Huskies responded over the next four minutes with a 16-5 run to put them back on top 22-20. Michelle Augustavo scored 10 points in the surge, including two three-pointers.
Clemson regained the lead and built a four-point cushion on a jumper from Jasmine Tate with 4:35 to play in the first half.
Washington came back with Sami Whitcomb stealing a pass at the top of the circle and getting two points on a fast break for the Huskies. Another three-pointer from Augustavo gave the Huskies a one-point lead with 22 seconds left, and Washington led 35-34 at the break.
Augustavo finished with 15 points, Mollie Williams scored 12 and Kristi Kingma had 10 for Washington.
Whitney Hood scored 16 points for the Tigers (5-2), and Wright finished with 13.
Hardy was named MVP of the tournament.
Talk to us
> Give us your news tips.
> Send us a letter to the editor.
> More Herald contact information.
