Clemson opens ACC women's tourney with win over Syracuse

Updated Mar. 2, 2022 3:16 p.m. ET

Associated Press

GREENSBORO, N.C. (AP) — Delicia Washington had 33 points and 11 rebounds for her fifth double-double of the season and No. 13 seed Clemson beat 12th-seeded Syracuse 88-69 on Wednesday in the opening game of the ACC tournament.

Clemson (9-21) advances to face ACC player of the year Elizabeth Kitley and No. 5 seed Virginia Tech on Thursday.

Clemson went ahead by double figures for good during a 12-1 run early in the fourth quarter to build a 72-57 lead. Washington, who was named to the first-team all-ACC on Monday, scored eight points in the frame and the Tigers closed on an 8-0 run.

Hannah Hank scored a season-high 17 points with eight rebounds and Amari Robinson added 12 points and nine rebounds for Clemson. Daisha Bradford had 11 points. Washington was 12 of 24 from the field, with 20 points coming in the second half.

The Tigers avenged an 86-46 loss at Syracuse on Dec. 11, notching just its second victory in 12 series meetings.

Clemson led by 14 points with 3:27 left in the first half but only made one more field goal as Syracuse closed on a 10-2 run to get within 38-32. The Tigers shot 51.7% from the field in the half, but turned it over 14 times leading to 12 Syracuse points.

Teisha Hyman scored 25 points, reaching 20-plus for the third straight game, for Syracuse (11-18). Christianna Carr added 20 points and Alaysia Styles 11. Hyman was 12 of 28 from the field, going 0 of 5 from distance. Syracuse made 16.7% of its 24 3-point attempts.

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