Booker, Tigers too much for Blue Demons
Sophomore forward Trevor Booker paced the way with 18 points and 10 rebound for the Tigers, who had six players in double figures, as Clemson man-handled DePaul 90-74 on Friday afternoon in the San Juan Shootout.
The Tigers got 15 points from Cliff Hammonds and 14 points from Dermontez Stitt. Clemson trailed by one at halftime 41-40, but used a 19-4 run early in the second half to seize control, 59-45 with just over 14 minutes left.
DePaul countered with a 7-0 run, cutting the Clemson to 59-52, however, the Tigers would come no closer. Clemson pulled away down the stretch, shooting 54 percent from the field in the second half, but it was their toughness at both ends of the floor to punish the Blue Demons.
DePaul had no answer inside for Booker and their perimeter defense was much to be desired as well. Hammonds and Terrence Oglesby were a combined 8-for-11 from three-point range.
Draelon Burns led DePaul with 27 points. Karron Clarke had 14 points and Dar Tucker added 13 points.
The Blue Demons fall to 2-7 on the season. They have had a tough go of things as of late, losing five in a row. They’ll complete a string of three games in three nights on Saturday, Dec. 22nd at 3 p.m. when they host the Explorers from LaSalle.
Tags: Big East Basketball, Clemson Tigers, DePaul Blue Demons, NCAA Men's basketball, Trevor Booker