Boston College
Clemson
Men's Hoops Falls To Clemson, 72-62
December 30, 2003 | Men's Basketball
Dec 30, 2003
By PETE IACOBELLI
AP Sports Writer
CLEMSON, S.C. - Freshman Vernon Hamilton had 13 points, 11 rebounds and nine assists to lead Clemson past future Atlantic Coast Conference foe Boston College 72-62 on Tuesday night.
Craig Smith's 3-pointer with 1:04 to go brought the Eagles (9-2), who trailed by 24 points early in the second half, within 66-60. But the Tigers (7-4) made five of their final six foul shots to put the game away and - fueled by the speedy, 6-foot Hamilton - perhaps showed Boston College what life in the ACC might be like. After all, Clemson was picked to finish last in a league where four teams are in this week's top 10.
The Eagles accepted an invitation to join the ACC in October.
Smith, Boston College's leading scorer and rebounder coming in, tied his season high with 28 points.
But it was Hamilton and the Tigers who took control of this one early.
Hamilton stole a pass and broke away for an uncontested layup to start Clemson's 10-0 run at the beginning of the game. After Smith cut that in half with a 3-pointer, Hamilton again went in alone - he had five such breaks in the game - to start a 9-2 run.
It was that kind of game for Hamilton.
Hamilton's play got the Tigers off on another 10-0 run at the start of the second half. When Chey Christie followed a miss by Chris Hobbs with a smooth putback, Clemson was ahead 44-20 and looked totally in control.
The Tigers still led 59-41 with 6:13 left when Boston College finally found its range and went on a 19-7 run.
However, Clemson put the game away at the free-throw line, going 10 of 12 over the final 1:49.
Each time the Eagles closed in, Clemson called on its defense and Hamilton to make things comfortable again.
Smith's 3-pointer cut Clemson's lead in half after the Tigers opened the game with a 10-0 run. But Hamilton hit an inside shot, Hobbs converted a three-point play and Hamilton broke free for an uncontested layup.
Nate Doornekamp had two baskets to cut the lead to 19-13. Clemson came back with a 9-0 run. Hamilton fed Robinson for a 3-pointer and closed the sequence with his third breakaway layup of the half.
Hamilton closed the half with a bucket that bounced high of the rim and through to put Clemson ahead 34-20.
The one negative note for the Tigers was when Hobbs, the team's lone senior starter who had 11 points and six rebounds, went down hard on his left ankle late in the second half. He was taken to the trainers' room and did not return to the court.
