Clemson squanders its 23-point second-half lead

CLEMSON -- Clemson's Demontez Stitt fell to the floor near the goal, under a triple-zero clock. His head hung after his left-handed attempt near the rim missed, prompting Illinois players to mob one another at half court to celebrate a 76-74 win.

Like the two halves, the scene was of stark contrast: from no challenge for Clemson (6-2), holding a 23-point edge early in the second half, to meltdown mode in the Big Ten/ACC Challenge.

"We couldn't have played much better in the first half; we were doing exactly what we wanted to do in terms of pressuring them," Clemson coach Oliver Purnell said. "We were doing a great job of playing inside and out, playing as one.

"(In the second half) we relaxed. We gave up some 3s that clearly we didn't allow them to have in the first half."

Those 3s energized Illinois (5-2), which had lost an 18-point lead to Utah earlier this season.

Illinois coach Bruce Weber noted he was surprised by how quickly Illinois was able to get back in the game. Illinois made 5-of-10 3-pointers in the second half and shot 60 percent from the field.

With 10:56 to play in the game, Mike Davis scored two of his game-high 22 points to cut the Clemson lead to 61-53.

Weber thought the Tigers' youth and trip to California might have had a hand in the second-half lapse.

"Losing (K.C) Rivers, (Raymond) Sykes ... those guys had more experience, a little more depth," Weber said. "Now (Clemson) is playing a lot of young kids."

Of course Weber had a little something to do with the comeback.

Illinois began switching between man and 2-3 zone looks, and Clemson had difficulty getting the ball into star forward Trevor Booker who took just seven field goal attempts (12 points, 10 rebounds), two fewer than back-up point guard Andre Young.

"They made us a little uncomfortable," Purnell said.

Illinois also showed better movement with crisp cuts and passes in the second half.

The final sequence of events told the story of Clemson's meltdown.

Left open much of the night, 7-1 Mike Tisdale drove to the goal unimpeded allowing Illinois to retake a 75-74 lead for the final lead change.

After an Illini free throw, Clemson was down two with 8.4 seconds to play. Clemson called a flat screen for Stitt, who sliced to the basket, but had to alter his shot which fell short. He lamented afterward he went "away from contact."

Clemson had to alter its shots often, shooting 39 percent for the game and having eight shots blocked -- four by Tisdale.

"That was Clemson basketball," Purnell said of the first half. "We just didn't maintain that."