Edward Scott scored all of his 20 points in the second half as Clemson continued its best start in seven seasons with a 58-51 victory over Cincinnati on Sunday at Anderson, S.C.
The Tigers have not opened 7-0 since the 1995-96 season. Few thought they would this time after the Bearcats surprised fifth-ranked Oregon 77-52 in the Jimmy V Classic on Tuesday night.
But this was not the same hot-shooting Cincinnati team that looked poised to move into the rankings with a victory Sunday.
Tony Bobbitt, who more than doubled his season points total with 29 against the Ducks, had only 10 against Clemson.
The Bearcats (5-3) shot 34.6 percent (19-of-55) for the game, and after holding Scott scoreless for 20 minutes, no one could stop him down the stretch.
Scott began his run when he was fouled on a reverse layup early in the half and finished the three-point play as the Tigers led 33-25.
His first three-pointer four minutes later made it 40-32. When Cincinnati cut the lead to 40-38 with 9 minutes 59 seconds left, Scott followed with a long three-pointer.
And after Jason Maxiell made two jumpers to tie the game at 47-all, Scott’s drive put the Tigers ahead for good.
Still streaking
The Connecticut women, especially the young ones, wanted to head off to vacation on a good note. They sure did.
Freshman Barbara Turner scored 17 points, as did Diana Taurasi, to lead the No. 3 Huskies past St. Joseph’s 82-48 at Hartford, Conn., for their 48th straight victory.
“We had a lot of energy coming out,” Turner said. “We wanted to have a good game before we went home.”
RESULTS, SUNDAY’S SYNOPSIS
#25 Minnesota 81 at #5 Oregon 90
Ian Crosswhite had 18 points and Luke Ridnour 15 as the Ducks (8-1) beat the Golden Gophers (6-2).
Princeton 54 at #10 Texas 57
Chris Ogden hit the go-ahead 3-pointer and T.J. Ford made 4 free throws in the final :21 for the Longhorns (7-2).
#23 North Carolina 69 at Florida State 48
Jawad Williams scored 10 of his 16 points in the 2nd half as the Tar Heels (7-2) won their ACC opener.
Liberty 49 at Iowa 87
Chauncey Leslie had 18 points and Glen Worley 15 as the Hawkeyes (7-2) ended an 8-day exam break.
CS-Northridge 74 at Southern Illinois 86
Darren Brooks had 21 points and 7 rebounds as the Salukis (4-2) beat the Matadors (6-2).
