Wake Forest University
Clemson
Wake Forest Falters in 71-60 Loss at Clemson
1/28/2012 12:00:00 AM | Men's Basketball
Jan. 28, 2012
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CLEMSON, S.C. - Wake Forest's C.J. Harris extended his double-figure scoring streak to 20 games, but the Demon Deacons could not withstand a big Clemson run in the first half in a 71-60 loss to the Tigers on Saturday afternoon at Littlejohn Coliseum.
Clemson (11-9, 3-3 ACC) overcame a 19-13 deficit by outscoring Wake Forest 23-10 over the final 8:29 of the first half. The Deacons cut the lead to three early in the second period, but the Tigers responded with a 10-0 run to take control of the game.
Wake Forest (11-10, 2-5 ACC) fell in the early hole by committing eight turnovers in the first half, as the Deacons could not take advantage of Clemson's 1-for-15 start from the field. The Deacons finished with 15 turnovers for the game compared to eight for the Tigers. Clemson scored 19 points off Wake's turnovers.
Harris finished with 19 points to become the first Deacon since Jeff Teague to score in double figures for at least 20 games straight. Teague had a 35-game streak to end his collegiate career. Harris also added a season-high seven rebounds and three assists.
Travis McKie posted his fourth double-double of the season with 13 points and a game-high 12 rebounds. McKie now has double-doubles in three of his past four games.
Ty Walker turned in eight points, four rebounds and three blocks on the day. Walker was cleared to play before the game by the Wake Forest medical staff. The senior from Wilmington suffered a concussion during Wednesday's game against Florida State.
Andre Young led four Tigers in double figures with 19 points, hitting 3-of-6 from 3-point range. Devin Booker scored 16, Tanner Smith had 13 and Bryan Narcisse finished with 11 points for Clemson.
The Deacons out-rebounded the Tigers 41-35 and had 14 offensive boards but allowed 13 by Clemson.
Wake Forest led for the first 15 minutes of the game, jumping out to a 12-4 advantage at the 12:01 mark. Nikita Mescheriakov spurred the Deacons' initial charge scoring six points during the game-opening run.
With Wake Forest holding a 19-13 lead after a Chase Fischer 3-pointer at the 8:29 mark, Clemson responded with seven straight points to take a 20-19 lead two minutes later. The run was capped with back-to-back fastbreak dunks from Smith and Booker, forcing the Deacons to burn their second timeout of the half.
Harris followed the timeout with two free throws to snap Wake's scoreless streak and give the visitors the lead back, but the Tigers still kept the momentum. Including its initial 7-0 run, Clemson outscored Wake Forest 23-10 over the final 8:29 of the first half to take a 36-29 advantage into the locker room. Smith nailed a 3-pointer with two seconds left on the clock to send the Tigers into the break.
Wake Forest outscored Clemson 6-2 to start the second half, but the Tigers followed with a 10-0 run to take a 48-35 lead at the 15:28 mark. Walker snapped the Deacons' scoreless streak with a dunk on a feed from McKie. Wake Forest could not get closer than 10 the rest of the way.
The Deacons will look to split the season series with the Tigers when the teams meet for a second time on Saturday, Feb. 11, in Winston-Salem.
Wake Forest returns home on Tuesday, Jan. 31, to host No. 7-ranked North Carolina. Tip-off is scheduled for 9 p.m. at the Joel Coliseum. The game will be broadcast on ESPNU and can be heard on the Wake Forest Sports Network from IMG College.
