COL BKB: Clemson 73, N.C. State 70

RALEIGH, N.C., Jan. 16 (UPI) -- Trevor Booker scored 20 points Saturday, helping 19th-rated Clemson edge ACC rival North Carolina State 73-70.

The Tigers saw their 18-point lead less than 2 minutes into the second half wither away under a fierce Wolfpack rally. It wasn't until Clemson's Tanner Smith sank two free throws with 18 seconds left, and N.C. State's Julius Mays missed a pair of 3-pointers that the Tigers' victory was assured.

Smith and Jerai Grant each scored 11 for the Tigers (15-3, 3-1 ACC), who have won three in a row since falling at Duke Jan. 3.

Mays finished with 17 points for the Wolfpack (12-6, 1-3). Tracy Smith added 16 points and Richard Howell had 13 points with 12 rebounds.

"We put ourselves in a position to win today," N.C. State Coach Sidney Lowe said. "The guys dug in, fought hard and came back. A play here and a play there in a couple of games this year and our record is totally different."

Tigers Coach Sidney Lowe said he was disappointed in his team's first-half defense despite taking a 45-28 lead at the break.

"We weren't very active," he said. "We had some guys that didn't play tough and didn't rebound. I was very disappointed in a couple of our guys today."