By Ed McGranahan.

By Ed McGranahan

GREENVILLE – Two impressions of the very young Clemson basketball team two games into the season.

Given time this could be a good – not great – team because of its depth and athleticism. In a 72-55 win over Furman in which Clemson led by as many as 24 less than four minutes into the second half, nine players scored as many as six points, none more than 15.

“I think that’s probably going to be the recipe for our team this year,” said Coach Brad Brownell. “I don’t know that we have a lot of potent guys that are ready to have big nights.”

Brownell knows how to modulate patience while continuing to press buttons and create a sense of urgency.

Clemson shook off a cloying Furman team with an 11-0 run in the first half then stretched a 17-point halftime lead to 24 in the first four minutes of the second half on 3-pointer by T.J. Sapp off one of Rod Hall’s six assists.

“The first half we did a good job attacking the basket, getting the ball inside, getting fouled, getting free throws,” said Coach Brad Brownell.

“The second half we played like a team with a lead. We didn’t play with the same desperation energy that we need to, and I think Furman did a better job in the second half attacking us.”

Devin Booker scored 15 points, K.J. McDaniels 11 and Demarcus Harrison 10 as Clemson (2-0) ran its string of victories over the Paladins to 29 straight. Hall had nine and did not have a turnover.

“We started off kind of slow and it took us a couple of plays to get it going,” Hall said. “In the second half we started real slow.
“We just had to change up our pace in the second half.”

Stephen Croone led Furman (1-2) with 15 points. Bryant Irwin scored 14 and Collin Reddick 13. Irwin’s 3-pointer with 16:23 provided a spark for Furman which finished by outscoring Clemson 25-21.

It was Clemson’s its first appearance at Timmons Arena on the Furman University campus and the first on a Furman home court in 30 years.
The Tigers shot 49.1 percent from the field (28-57), committed eight turnovers and out-rebounded the Paladins 31-24. Furman hit 46.2 percent (18 of 39) and committed 16 turnovers.

Furman has a home game Monday with Brevard. Clemson plays Gonzaga on Thanksgiving in the first of three weekend games at the Old Spice Classic in Orlando, Fla.

“All in all, good road win and good start,” said Brownell, “Got some good things to learn from this one.”