Clinch fuels Georgia Tech upset of Clemson

Clemson’s Terrence Oglesby shook his head in frustration and disbelief after one of Lewis Clinch’s five 3-pointers Thursday.

“I mean, he hit a three on me in the corner, I couldn’t have been any closer unless I blocked it,” Oglesby said.

With Clinch scoring a career-high 32 and his teammates feeding off the senior’s confidence, No. 12 seed Georgia Tech upset No. 5 Clemson 86-81 in a first-round game at the Georgia Dome.

Tech (12-18) faces No. 4 Florida State at 2:30 p.m. Friday, and the Yellow Jackets suddenly look dangerous.

Unlike the regular season, when Tech blew leads by missing free throws and throwing the ball away, the Jackets played with poise down the stretch. This was not the same team that dropped nine ACC games by 8 points or less, including three in overtime.

“All year our coaches have done a tremendous job on scouting plans and what we need to do,” Clinch said. “Today I think we did a great job of going out and executing.”

Clinch opened Tech’s scoring with a 3-pointer. His final three, over Oglesby’s outstretched hand, made it 75-62 with four minutes left.

Following a Clemson surge that cut the deficit to three, Clinch sank two free throws with 7 seconds left for the final margin.

Clinch credited his teammates’ screens and passes, plus the comfort of home. “Campus is two minutes away,” he said. “To be in Atlanta and not have the feeling of having traveled, of going through baggage claim, is great. To be home feels great.”

But this was far from a one-man show.

Forward Gani Lawal made his last eight shots after a 1-for-6 start, notching 20 points and 14 rebounds.

Freshman guard Iman Shumpert handled the Tigers’ press (5 assists, 0 turnovers). Maurice Miller, playing his first game without a facemask since his nasal surgery, dished out a game-high eight assists.

And Lawal, Alade Aminu (12 points) and Zachery Peacock limited Clemson forward Trevor Booker to one basket in the final 11 minutes.

Perhaps most important, Tech made 12 of 16 free throws, Clinch going 5-for-5 and Shumpert 3-for-4.

“They have played very hard, we have done some good things,” Tech coach Paul Hewitt said of this season. “The difference was that we closed the game out.”

Clinch, averaging 25 points over his last six games, came out firing. He scored 15 in the first half and Tech went to the lockerroom tied at 39.

Ahead 54-53, the Jackets went on a 13-2 run keyed by Miller. He bounced a no-look pass to Lawal for a jam, then set up Aminu for two layups in transition.

“You just get caught up in the moment, you feel that adrenaline rush, and anything can happen,” Miller said.

Miller missed seven games following his broken nose and concussion. Since returning two months ago, he had been wearing a facemask. Wednesday’s practice was the first time he played without it.

“He was a different player,” Hewitt said.

Shumpert, who scored 11 on 4-of-5 shooting, said the Jackets were excited to put all those narrow losses behind them.

“Now we’re 1-0, so it’s a whole new mindset,” he said.

The Tigers (23-8) missed 15 of their first 20 3-pointers before heating up late. Booker finished with 17 points and nine rebounds, but he didn’t dominate like he did in the previous meeting.

Oglesby, one of four Tigers who scored 11, gave Clinch his due.

“He’s gotten on a roll here lately and he’s hot,” Oglesby said. “Maybe something happens with him and hopefully they make a run now that they beat us. I guess I’m cheering for them. He’s a good player and a good person.”

— Ken Sugiura contributed to this story.