FanPost

WBB: Another OT Squeaker As State Eases by Clemson 69-63


It is true. Going to Clemson on a cold snowy day is not good for State basketball teams. So many times Herb's teams played their worst under similar circumstances. However, were Herb's teams lost, Wes's team won-barely.

Another game against a team with an abysmal record and another overtime win. Clemson is now 11-15 overall and 3-9 in conference. State, which moves to 22-3 overall, 9-2 in conference, is now tied for second place with Duke.

Clemson came out hot, shooting 75% early and taking a 22-13 lead with about 8 minutes left. State managed to pull within four, 34-30, by halftime. State went up by 49-42 with about 10 minutes left, but scored only one basket over the last 6 minutes. State had the last regular time shot with 3 seconds left and the score tied at 56; however, Gatling rushed the shot trying to make the basket with a catch and shoot while in the air. Burke scored 4 straight points for the Pack in the overtime, giving State a four point lead. Clemson did cut the lead to three points with a foul shot, but never managed to get closer. Burke scored 6 of her 12 points in overtime.

STATS

Gatling lead State with 20 points while Myisha Goodwin Coleman scored 18. Clemson was lead by Dixon with 18 and Pettaway scored 17. Clemson shot 49% for the game, but made no three point baskets going 0-5. State shot 45% for the game, and made 7-22 threes. Clemson was 9-12 from the line while State was 6-9. State had 33 rebounds to Clemson's 32.

UNC

State plays UNC Sunday in the Hoops for Hope Game. Gatling needs to keep her head about her in that game and avoid reaching fouls or bumping fouls. In the first game against UNC, after Gatling picked up two early fouls and had to sit, UNC raced away to a big lead. Early in the second half UNC led 52-38; however, State closed to within 71-66 before losing 79-70. Diamond DeShields of UNC scored 21 points in State's first game against UNC. In UNC's win at Duke Monday night, DeShields scored 30 points hitting 12-20 shots from the field. DeShields, despite being a freshman, is probably the best offensive player in the conference. Alyssa Thomas is better all around as is McBride of Notre Dame, but neither has the offensive skills of DeShields.

If DeShields is allowed to score like she did against Duke, no matter what Gatling does, State will lose.