UMass hits 16 3-pointers in 82-65 rout of Clemson
LAS VEGAS (AP) Massachusetts' 3-point shooting Monday night left Clemson shell shocked in the Main Event tournament at MGM Grand.
The Minutemen tied a school record, making 16 3-pointers in an 82-65 rout of the Tigers, advancing UMass to the tournament final against either Rutgers or Creighton.
Donte Clark and Trey Davis had 25 points apiece and Jabarie Hinds added 21 as UMass made 16 of 31 from long distance, 52 percent. It marked the second consecutive game the Minutemen had converted 16.
''They got shell shocked a little bit from our threes,'' UMass coach Derek Kellogg said. ''The balls were flying from all over the place. We were fortunate to shoot the ball so well, and they missed some open ones. That's college basketball.''
UMass (4-0) never trailed after the first two minutes of the game and led by as many as 28 points in the second half.
Jaron Blossomgame and Avry Holmes had 18 each for the Tigers (3-1), who shot just 38 percent for the game and made just 6 of 27 from long distance.
''Our perimeter defense is a little bit of a concern this year,'' Clemson coach Brad Brownell said. ''We're not as big, and as a result there's going to be some times when guys can shoot over the top of us. They just kept backing up. Their perimeter firepower was overwhelming for us.''
Clemson, which missed on 21 of 27 shots from 3-point range, fell behind 20-7 in the first seven minutes and trailed 44-22 at the half.
UMass pushed the pace early and never let up.
''The most important thing for our style of play is to try to get the game moving,'' Kellogg said. ''I didn't think we could compete with Clemson inside in a half-court game, so for us to be able to get the game moving was good for us.''
TIP-INS
Clemson: Until losing to the Minutemen, the Tigers had won their first three games by margins of 34, 33 and 20 points.
UMass: The Minutemen made 16 3-pointers for a second consecutive game, tying a school record.
STAR POWER
Clark, a sophomore, scored 25 points after totaling 19 against Central Arkansas. In his past two games, he's made 10 of 20 3-point attempts.
UP NEXT
UMass plays in the championship game of the Main Event against either Rutgers or Creighton.
Clemson plays the loser of the Rutgers-Creighton game.
