Jan. 12, 2017
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ATLANTA (AP) Ben Lammers kept waiting for Clemson to make a late push and get back in the game.
Georgia Tech was too stout.
”It was good to go into the last few minutes with that little bit of a cushion,” Lammers said. ”Plus we also had the momentum going from the last 10 minutes of the game, so that definitely helped.”
Lammers had 23 points and 10 rebounds, Quinton Stephens added 16 points and Georgia Tech beat Clemson 75-63 on Thursday night.
The Yellow Jackets, who upset North Carolina and played Louisville tough, don’t have much experience but they pulled off another surprising performance at home under first-year coach Josh Pastner.
Josh Okogie finished with 13 points, and Tadric Jackson scored 10 for the Yellow Jackets (10-6, 2-2 Atlantic Coast Conference). Georgia Tech was projected to be among the league’s worst teams this season.
Jaron Blossomgame scored 20 points, and Avry Holmes added 14 for Clemson (11-5, 1-3). The Tigers have lost three straight.
Clemson cut the lead to five on Gabe DeVoe’s 3 with 3:15 remaining, and Stephens missed a 3 at the shot-clock buzzer on the ensuing possession, but Okogie grabbed a rebound and fed Stephens for a dunk that made it 63-55. The lead swelled to 13 a couple of minutes later on Jackson’s 3.
Lammers, a junior, has blossomed under Pastner, ranking third in the ACC in rebounding average and field-goal percentage.
”He makes it hard at the rim on offense,” Clemson coach Brad Brownell said. ”You can’t score over him. Offensively, he can score at the rim with his jump hook. He’s making 17-foot jump shots. He’s a very good high post passer. He’s an elite-level player in this league.”
The Jackets outrebounded Clemson 40-29.
UP NEXT
Clemson: Hosts Virginia on Saturday.
Georgia Tech: Visits North Carolina State on Sunday.
