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CLEMSON, S.C. (AP) _ Edward Scott scored a career-high 36
points, pulled down eight rebounds and had seven assists as Clemson
beat Florida State 87-78 on Saturday.
Scott shot 12-of-15 from the field, including 5-6 from behind
the arc, and 7-of-8 from the foul line.
Delvon Arrington led Florida State (11-14, 4-10 Atlantic Coast)
with 20 points and seven assists.
The win means Clemson (13-15, 4-11) can still finish sixth in
the ACC if the Tigers beat North Carolina at Chapel Hill for the
first time ever and get a little help. But Clemson, who has
finished last in the league two years in a row, can still end up in
the basement.
Florida State lost a chance to finish sixth in the league and
avoid Duke or Maryland in the ACC tournament quarterfinals.
The Seminoles, who fell behind by as much as 19 early in the
second half, cut the deficit to six at 78-72 on Delvon Arrington's
3-pointer with 2:27 to go.
On the next possession Arrington stole the ball, then missed a
long jumper on the fast break. The Seminoles had two chances to tip
in the rebound, but couldn't do it.
Scott would hit 7-of-8 free throws in the last two minutes.
Chris Hobbs had 11 points, and Ray Henderson added 10 points and
11 rebounds for the Tigers.
Monte Cummings scored 13 points and Anthony Richardson added 12
for the Seminoles.
Florida State jumped out to a 10 point lead early, but then
Scott got hot.
Down 25-18 with seven minutes to go in the half, The Tigers went
on a 23-4 run to take a 41-30 lead at the break.
Scott started the run with a 3-pointer, and scored 12 of his 14
first half points during the seven-minute stretch.
The contest was Clemson's last home game of the season, and the
students serenaded coach Larry Shyatt with chants of "Larry,
Larry" late in the game.
Shyatt's coaching future might be in jeopardy, as the Tigers
have to beat North Carolina and win a game in the ACC tournament to
avoid their third-straight losing season.
Shyatt has one season remaining his $420,000 contract, which
includes a $130,000 salary.
The game may also be Clemson's last in Littlejohn Coliseum for
quite a while. Major renovations on the 34-year-old arena have
already begun, and there are questions whether the work will be
finished before next season. |