/2008/08/clemson_tigers

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of Lake Hartwell, Clemson

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Clemson tops Long Beach State 87-79

ANAHEIM, Calif. — Tanner Smith scored 17 points and Demontez Stitt had 16 points and five assists to lead No. 19 Clemson to an 87-79 victory over Long Beach State in the 76 Classic on Friday at the Anaheim Convention Center.

Andre Young added 13 points and Trevor Booker had 12 points and seven rebounds for the Tigers (5-1), who shot 57.6 percent and scored 20 points off turnovers.

T.J. Robinson scored a career-high 25 points and tied a career high with 15 rebounds for the 49ers (3-3), who have lost three of four.

Long Beach’s Casper Ware had 20 points and tied a tournament single-game record with 10 assists. Eugene Phelps added 12 points and 10 rebounds.

Clemson led 30-29 when David Potter scored three lay-ins in 52 seconds to put the Tigers ahead 36-29 with 1:49 left in the first half. Clemson then began the second half with a 7-0 spurt in the first 41 seconds to build a 45-34 lead.

Long Beach narrowed its deficit to 61-60 with 8:55 to play. But a 6-0 run in a span of 1:06 extended the Tigers’ advantage to 67-60 with 7:33 remaining.