ECU Goes To Clemson In Search Of Road Win
December 28, 2010 | Men's Basketball
Dec. 28, 2010
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| THE MATCHUP |
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| Category | East Carolina | Clemson | |
| W-L | 7-5 | 9-4 | |
| Avg. Points | 72.0 | 68.5 | |
| Avg. Points Allowed | 65.8 | 59.3 | |
| Rebound Margin | +1.7 | +3.4 | |
| Field Goal Percentage | .459 | .450 | |
| FG Percent Defense | .413 | .409 | |
| 3FG% | .362 | .336 | |
| Free Throw Percentage | .684 | .675 | |
| Turnover Margin | -3.1 | +2.2 | |
| TEAM STAT LEADERS |
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| Points | J. Sherrod 13.6 | D. Stitt 13.0 | |
| Rebounds | D. Morrow 5.1 | J. Grant 6.5 | |
| Assists | B. Young 4.2 | A. Young 3.1 | |
| Blocks | D. Morales 1.7 | J. Grant 1.9 | |
| Steals | C. Gaines 1.8 | A. young 1.8 | |
CLEMSON, S.C. --- Coming off back-to-back heartbreaking defeats, East Carolina returns to the hardwood Wednesday night against ACC foe Clemson at Littlejohn Coliseum. The Pirates have lost their last two games, both on the road, by a combined three points.
Sophomore Corvonn Gaines scored the go-ahead basket against Coastal Carolina with 10 seconds left only to have the Chanticleers steal victory away from the Pirates by hitting a fall-away jumper in the lane with 2.6 seconds to play to record a 59-58 victory.
George Washington broke the Pirates' hearts three days before Christmas as Bryan Bynes banked in the game-winner with an off-balance 18-foot jumper with 2.5 seconds remaining after ECU rallied from an 11-point deficit to take a three-point lead with 1:43 to play. It was the second straight season in which the Colonials defeated the Pirates, this time by a final of 82-80.
Jontae Sherrod led a foursome of Pirates in double figures with 21 points in the loss to GW. Gaines and Darrius Morrow added 12 points as starters, while Jamar Abrams came off the bench to net 10.
The Pirates and Tigers are meeting for the fourth straight season and fifth time overall. Clemson has won each of the previous four games in the series, including two a Littlejohn Coliseum. ECU has never beaten an ACC member on the road, although it has posted wins over Georgia Tech and Virginia Tech outside of Greenville prior to their conference admittance.
East Carolina has held five of its last seven opponents under their season field goal shooting percentage, but allowed a season-high 55.6 percent shooting by George Washington last time out.
The Tigers have shot over 50 percent from the floor five times this season and have compiled a team shooting percentage of .450. The Pirates are shooting slightly better than the Tigers from the floor at 45.9 percent.
Under the direction of first-year coach Brad Brownell, Clemson has compiled a 9-4 record that includes a 6-1 ledger at Littlejohn Coliseum. The Tigers rank second in the ACC in scoring defense allowing 59.3 points per game.
"They're going through a change in style," ECU coach Jeff Lebo said. "They are more of a half court team now and they run a lot of motion offense. They are very well coached and are an exceptional defensive team.
"Demontez Stitt is a difference maker and Jerai Grant is very difficult to defend in the post."
The Tigers have won four in a row after dropping three straight. Clemson is holding its opponents to 50.2 points per game during their current streak.
East Carolina is averaging 72.0 points per game this season and ranks second in Conference USA averaging 7.8 3-pointers per game.
