Jordan Roper tallied 18 points to lead his Clemson Tigers past the NC State Wolfpack, 68-57, in an Atlantic Coast Conference showcase at PNC Arena Wednesday.
Rod Hall netted 11 points to help Clemson (12-8, 4-4 ACC) along in the win. Landry Nnoko chipped in with 10 points, and Jaron Blossomgame grabbed a team- best 12 rebounds in the victory, which was the third in four games for the Tigers.
Trevor Lacey scored 17 points, brought down five rebounds and dished out five assists to lead NC State (13-9, 4-5). Abdul-Malik Abu notched a double-double of 15 points and 12 rebounds, and Ralston Turner contributed 10 points for the Wolfpack, losers of three straight decisions.
Clemson connected on 43.8 percent shooting in the first half, but was more impressive on the defensive end of the floor, limiting NC State to just 23.1 percent shooting as the Tigers took a commanding 36-16 lead into the intermission.
The Wolfpack picked it up in the second half, netting 32.4 percent of their attempts, adding in 5-of-11 from 3-point range and 12-of-14 from the free- throw line. Clemson hit on 52.4 percent of its tries in the period, but lost nine points on its first-half advantage. It wasn't enough for NC State, though, as the hosts fell short in the comeback effort.
Clemson held a 34-20 edge in scoring in the paint, and owned a 22-7 advantage in fast-break points in the win.
[SportsNetwork.com]
