Booker, Stitt Lead Purnell's Posse: Tigers Claw Pass Tar Heels, 83-64

Trevor Booker and Demontez Stitt scored 21 and 20 points, respectively as the Clemson Tigers topped the visiting North Carolina Tar Heels on Wednesday night.  Teammate Tanner Smith added 14.

The game reminded me of the game against Duke, just one year ago whe the Tigers full court press was the difference in the game. 

Only it wasn't Duke this year, it was North Carolina.  Clemson kept the pressure up in the first half and it worked to the likes of Head Coach Oliver Purnell.   At the 10:31 mark of the first half, the Tigers led by 20 points, 40-20. 

The first half saw Clemson force 15 turnovers, which resulted in 21 points and the Tigers held a 52-32 first half lead.  This was their largest first half deficit since their 2008 semi final four game.  Booker and Stitt finished the first half with 11 each, followed by Smith with 10.  

The Tigers strong play in the second half forced North Carolina to subsitute for their entire starting five. 

Clemson's victory was the first over the Tar Heels in 11 games and 6 years.  The victory over the Defending National Champions shows how close the competition in the ACC is this season.  Any team can beat any team at anytime.  That is why teams must win on the home courts.

Although Booker was name the Player of the Game, it was a total team effort for the Tigers that sucured the win.

The Tar Heels got 17 from Dexter Strickland, and 9 each from Leslie McDonald, Will Graves and Larry Drew.