Clemson upsets Duke

  • Associated Press
  • Saturday, March 15, 2008 11:19pm
  • SportsSports

CHARLOTTE, N.C. — Clemson’s dubious basketball history has drawn chuckles for years, and the depth of its futility — try 0-53 at North Carolina — is difficult to comprehend.

Well, this Clemson team is starting to shed the image that it’s a football school in a basketball league.

The Tigers stunned No. 7 Duke 78-74 Saturday to advance to their first Atlantic Coast Conference final in 46 years. Clemson had lost 22 straight games to the Blue Devils and is the only charter member of the ACC to never win the league tournament title.

Trevor Booker scored 18 points and Cliff Hammonds added 17 for the third-seeded Tigers (24-8), who hadn’t beaten the Blue Devils since 1997.

Clemson pulled away in the second half to spoil a much more familiar North Carolina-Duke rematch in the championship. Instead the Tigers will get a shot at the top-ranked Tar Heels today, the first time they’ll play on the final day of this tradition-packed event since they lost to a Wake Forest team that included Billy Packer in 1962.

“I didn’t know that,” said coach Oliver Purnell, in his fifth year at Clemson. “I knew it was a long time ago and I knew we’d maybe only been in it once and never won it.

“I don’t spend a lot of time with streaks with these young guys and that kind of thing,” he added. It’s this year’s team. … I think those weights are too heavy and insignificant.”

The athletic Tigers, a lock to make their first NCAA tournament in 10 years, exploited Duke’s weakness inside when it mattered.

Rugged James Mays, who scored 16 points, had two three-point plays in an 11-4 run that snapped a 56-all tie.

Second-seeded Duke (27-5) cut the lead to 71-69 on Greg Paulus’ 3-pointer with 48 seconds left. But then Clemson, a 63-percent free throw shooting team, made 3-for-4 from the line.

“If they hit their free throws, they’re as good as anybody,” Duke coach Mike Krzyzewski said.

K.C. Rivers’ transition dunk after DeMarcus Nelson turned the ball over in the closing seconds iced it, setting off a wild celebration for the Tigers, who had been 14-54 in the ACC tournament before beating Boston College on Friday.

Clemson’s Sam Perry ripped off his jersey as the final horn sounded and ran up and hugged the Clemson mascot. Clemson’s fans milled around in the arena, almost unsure of what to do and perhaps preparing to extend their hotel reservations.

“We’re just glad they’re here at the tournament having a great time and they really deserve everything that’s happening to them because they’ve been a big part of our success this year,” Purnell said.

Paulus scored 17 points, Nelson added 14 and Jon Scheyer 13 for the Blue Devils, who failed to reach the title game for the second straight year after a stretch of seven ACC titles in eight seasons.

“We played winning basketball,” Krzyzewski said. “That’s what makes great games is when both teams play winning basketball. … I think we’re playing really good basketball right now. We just need to get some rest and get going in this NCAA tournament.”

With fans still buzzing over North Carolina’s thrilling 68-66 comeback win over Virginia Tech in the opener, Paulus and Hammonds put on an outside-shooting competition in the first half.

Both players were 4-for-5 from the field, but Paulus was 4-for-4 from the free throw line and Hammonds never got there as Duke took a 31-30 lead.

The Tigers started the second half on a 9-0 run, only to watch Duke retake the lead on Nolan Smith’s 3-pointer with 9:45 left.

But the Blue Devils faded down the stretch behind poor shooting.

Duke made only six of 26 3-pointers in their second loss in three games.

Talk to us

> Give us your news tips.

> Send us a letter to the editor.

> More Herald contact information.

More in Sports

AquaSox outfielder Carson Jones gets settled in the batter's box during Everett's 4-3 loss to the Vancouver Canadians at Funko Field on July 6, 2025. (Joe Pohoryles / The Herald)
AquaSox show progress, but drop fifth straight to Canadians

Jones’ go-ahead, 3-run homer is spoiled in 4-3 loss to wrap up homestand.

Bryan Woo of the Seattle Mariners delivers a pitch in the first inning against the Toronto Blue Jays at Rogers Centre on Friday, April 18, 2025, in Toronto. (Vaughn Ridley / Getty Images / Tribune News Services)
Three Mariners added to MLB All-Star Game

Major League Baseball announced today that Mariners outfielder Julio Rodríguez,… Continue reading

George Kirby (68) of the Seattle Mariners pitches in the third inning against the Pittsburgh Pirates at T-Mobile Park on Sunday, July 6, 2025, in Seattle. (Alika Jenne / Getty Images / Tribune News Services)
Pirates finish historically bad offensive series in Seattle

Similar to the first two games of the series, the… Continue reading

Seattle Storm forward Alysha Clark (32) and Aces guard Jewell Loyd (24) guard each other during a free throw in a WNBA basketball game between the Aces and the Seattle Storm at Michelob ULTRA Arena Friday, June 20, 2025, in Las Vegas. (Madeline Carter / Las Vegas Review-Journal / Tribune News Services)
Storm uses third-quarter thunderbolt to down Liberty

Rookie Dominique Malonga scored 11 and took over in the third quarter for Seattle.

AquaSox pitcher Jurrangelo Cijntje follows through on a pitch during Everett's 3-0 loss to the Vancouver Canadians at Funko Field on July 5, 2025. (Joe Pohoryles / The Herald)
AquaSox blanked by Vancouver as losing skid continues

Everett generates just three hits in 3-0 loss to the Canadians on Saturday.

AquaSox infielder Charlie Pagliarini starts to swing at a pitch that he would launch for a two-run home run in Everett's 9-2 loss to the Vancouver Canadians at Funko Field on July 4, 2025. (Joe Pohoryles / The Herald)
AquaSox lack spark in Independence Day loss to Vancouver

Everett draws eight walks, but has just two hits in 9-2 loss to the Canadians.

Kimberly Beard, a rising senior at King's, stands next to the results board after winning the girls hammer throw at the Nike Outdoor National Track & Field Championships in Eugene, Oregon on June 22, 2025. (Photo courtesy Donna Beard)
Beard, Tupua shine at Nike Outdoor Nationals

The rising seniors make their mark on a national stage amidst a busy summer schedule.

Everett AquaSox shortstop Colt Emerson catches the ball at second base for the first out in a double play during the Opening Day game against the Hillsboro Hops on Tuesday, April 8, 2025 in Everett, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Emerson’s preparation finally paying off in Everett

The AquaSox shortstop is coming off his best month in High-A. Here’s how it came together:

The Seattle Mariners' Julio Rodríguez, right, claps after stealing second base during the first inning against the Kansas City Royals at T-Mobile Park on Thursday, July 3, 2025, in Seattle. (Alika Jenner / Getty Images / Tribune News Services)
Witt Jr. and Mariners’ bullpen both slide, KC wins series

The Kansas City Royals found a way against the Seattle Mariners on… Continue reading

Seattle Storm guard Skylar Diggins (4) tries to drive past Dallas Wings guard JJ Quinerly (11) during the first half of a WNBA basketball game at College Park Center on Monday, May 19, 2025, in Arlington, Texas. (Photo courtesy of the Seattle Storm)
Storm survive Dream on Diggins game-winner

Nneka Ogwumike and Erica Wheeler combined for 45 points in the 80-79 win.

Julius Miettinen listens to a coach during Kraken Development Camp on-ice session for forwards on Tuesday, July 1, 2025 in Seattle, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Pair of Silvertips check status at Kraken Development Camp

Julius Miettinen hopes to take strides back in Everett, while Kaden Hammell turns pro.

Randy Arozarena of the Seattle Mariners celebrates with the team trident after hitting a solo home run during the sixth inning against the Kansas City Royals at T-Mobile Park on Wednesday, July 2, 2025, in Seattle. (Alika Jenner / Getty Images / Tribune News Services)
Mariners overcome Perez to beat Royals

The Kansas City Royals found themselves in another close encounter against the… Continue reading

Support local journalism

If you value local news, make a gift now to support the trusted journalism you get in The Daily Herald. Donations processed in this system are not tax deductible.