Clemson Cruises Past Delaware St., 76-41

CLEMSON, S.C. (AP) - Jerai Grant scored 15 points to lead a

balanced Clemson attack Monday night as the Tigers cruised past

Delaware State 76-41.

The Tigers (9-4) won their fourth straight game. Jay Threatt and

Desi Washington paced the Hornets (4-7), who lost their fourth in a

row, with eight points each.

Leading by 21 points at halftime, the Tigers scored the first

seven points of the second half and led by 36 points late in the

game.

Demontez Stitt and Milton Jennings scored 11 each for Clemson

while teammates Tanner Smith and Bryan Narcisse added 10 apiece.

The Tigers, who shot 56.6 percent from the field (30 of 53),

shredded the Hornet defense with a combination of dunks, stick-ins

and open 3-point shots. The Hornets, who struggled to find open

shots, shot only 38.3 percent (18 of 47).

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Clemson vs. Delaware State (12/27)

Post-Game Quotes

Clemson Head Coach Brad Brownell

On his team’s overall performance:

"It was a really good win for our guys. I thought we played really efficient basketball. I talked to our team about playing with basketball sureness tonight

—making the extra pass, sharing the ball, being strong, meeting passes, and limiting turnovers. We were facing a team that plays a bunch of different defenses and tries to make you get out of rhythm. They go trap at different times. I think our guys showed good poise."

On the effects of offensive efficiency:

"We got good shots and scored. We were able to set our defense and because of that, we were able to be in position to guard them. We rebounded well, and that led to more transition, which led to better offensive possessions."

On the defensive effort:

"It might have been one of our better defensive games when you look at stats like field goal percentage defense, defensive rebounding percentage, and creating turnovers. We wanted to keep these guys under five 3’s, and we held them to three. We really felt like their three-point shooters,

(Desi) Washington and (Casey) Walker, were major keys. We wanted to make it difficult for those guys and we did a good job on that."

On the team’s understanding of the coaches’ schemes:

"I think we’ve improved a lot over the last two weeks. I think our understanding of all the things I want is better. We’re trying to be better possession by possession and not having letdowns and not always playing the scoreboard, but playing the next possession. We have shown maturity in that. But we’ve got to continue to do it against better people all the time."

On the play of Jerai Grant:

"I think he’s gaining confidence from good play. I don’t think Jerai has ever been counted on. I don’t know if he’s ever gotten the amount of touches that he’s gotten. It’s clear that he and Demontez (Stitt) are two guys that have some experience and need to play well for us to win. As he’s had some good success, he’s gotten more confident and been more aggressive. Our team has been looking for him. It’s a little path of momentum that you hope to ride for a while because he’s a big part of what we’ve got to do."