Clemson Vs Duke: Fans, Defense, Free Throws Key In Tigers 74-47 Victory

Trevor Booker and Terrence Oglesby scored 21 and 18 points, respectively, but it was the fans, defense and free throws that were the Key in Clemson's historical 74-47 win over visiting Duke University.

Upon visiting the campus on Wednesday, I couldn't miss all the tents that the students had pitched in hopes of getting tickets to the game of the week, the Tigers vs the Blue Devils.  Some of the students had been in line for three or four days, substituting for each to keep their spots.  The wait paid off and when the ticket office opened, just before the start of the game, a loud roar was heard from the crowd.

After the team was introduced, the students didn't stop cheering the entire game.  Some say after a Tiger's Jeral Grant dunk,  the crown noise at Littlejohn Coliseum reached a record 113 decibels. 

The Tigers defense was excellent.  Coach Oliver Purnell had his team playing really smart on the press and trapped whenever possible, forcing 11 first half turnovers.  Clemson held Duke to only 21 points at half time.  Duke went 8 for 24 from the field, was only 1 for 6 from the 3-point line and only had 2 assist.  Duke's leading scorer Gerald Henderson did manage 11 points, something the Tigers needed to adjust in the second half.

Clemson on the other hand scored 33 by intermission and went 14-28 and 3 for 5 from the free throw line.

The second half saw the defense continue to shut down the Blue Devils, never really letting the offense get comfortable.  Duke went 8 for 28 for 28.6% and for the game, 16 for 52 for only 30.8 %.  Duke usually relies on the 3-point shot to win or keep them in the game.  On Wednesday night, the Blue Devils went 3 for 13 for 23.1%, a stat that can be contributed to the Tigers defense.

For the Tigers, Grant had some timely tap ins and Booker's block shots ignited the Tigers offense in the second half.  Clemson went 14 for 32 from the field and 5 for 13 from the 3-point line.  A key stat was the fact that the Tigers out shot Duke from the free line, going 11-16 for 68.8 %, while Duke only managed 12-19 for 63.2%.

As far as trying to shut down Henderson in the second half, he only managed 5 points for the remainder of the game.  As a team Clemson had 8 blocks, 3 from Booker and 2 from Grant.  The Tigers out rebounded the Blue Devils, 47-30.

For Clemson, K.C. Rivers added 11, while defensive standout David Potter had 8, as did Grant.

Duke was led by Henderson with 16 and Lance Thomas with 10.

For those who were lucky to get a ticket, the results were historical.  The 27 point victory was the largest ever over a top 25 school.  It was the second game in a row that the Tigers have won over Duke.  The last win was in the ACC  Tournament last year.  There were many records that fell or were set with the win, including their first victory over a top 5 school since 2002 and their first win over Duke at home since 1997.

The win over Duke, moves Clemson to within a half game of first place in the ACC.

Duke is now 19-3 and 6-2 in the ACC, Clemson is 19-2 and 5-2 in the ACC.