CLEMSON, S.C. – Clemson utilized a 15-0 run in a span of 5:14 midway through the second half to pull away from visiting Longwood for a 72-56 win Friday night inside Littlejohn Coliseum.
The win gives Clemson (6-5) its best start in its home gym since the 2001-02, as the Tigers have posted six straight victories within the walls of Littlejohn Coliseum to open the season. The 2001-02 Tigers opened the season with seven straight victories at home.
"We played pretty hard tonight," said Longwood head coach
Bill Reinson. "We had a couple minute lapse in the second half that allowed them to extend their lead. Otherwise, I was pleased with our effort."
Longwood guard
Deborah Headen hit a jumper along the right baseline to bring the Lancers within three points, 36-33, early in the second half. However, the Tigers answered with a 15-0 run that was sparked by seven points from Clemson forward Nikki Dixon and eight points off Lancer turnovers.
Dixon set the early tone for the Tigers, as the she scored the first nine points for her squad to keep Clemson in the game early. Dixon was efficient from the floor, as she finished the night 8-of-12 and was 8-of-10 from the charity stripe. The 24 points was two points shy of Dixon's season-high 26 points against Texas Tech on Dec. 6.
Daneesha Provo (11) and Cha'nelle Perry (10) finished the night in double figures along with Dixon.
Friday's win over Longwood (0-10) saw the Tigers withstand a career night from junior
Raven Williams. Williams finished the night with the first double-double of her collegiate career, as the Richmond, Va., product finished with 16 points and a career-best 10 rebounds.
The 16 points from Williams marks the third straight contest that the junior has scored 16 or more points and the sixth time in the past eight games the co-captain finished in double figures. With Coach Reinson and his staff emphasizing the importance of rebounding and defense, Williams set the example for the rest of her squad with 10 defensive rebounds to go along with a steal.
Junior guard
Kyndal Skersick was the leading scorer for the Lancers, as she scored 12 second-half points and finished the night with 19 points, including 3-of-5 from beyond the arc.
"
Raven Williams played very well tonight and
Kyndal Skersick had a great second half," Reinson said.
The game against Clemson marked Longwood's fifth and final contest of the season against a school from a power-five conference, as the Lancers previously played games at Wake Forest, Florida, Virginia Tech and Virginia. Longwood plays more games against teams from a power conference than any other team in the Big South this season.
Longwood concludes a difficult stretch in the schedule, as the squad has started the season eight of their first 10 games on the road.
"This game was a step in the right direction, but we need to build on it," Reinson added.
The Lancers will look to continue the building process, as the squad concludes their difficult non-conference schedule on Monday, Dec. 22 with a 7 p.m., tilt against George Mason inside Willett Hall. The game marks the first of two straight games inside Willett Hall, as the Lancers will have the opportunity to play on their home court in back-to back games for the first time this season.
#GoWood
