University of North Carolina Athletics
North Carolina
Clemson
No. 14 Tar Heels Close Out Home Schedule With 69-53 Win Over Clemson
March 2, 2004 | Men's Basketball
March 2, 2004
By AARON BEARD
Associated Press Writer
CHAPEL HILL, N.C. - Rashad McCants scored 30 points and tied a school record with eight 3-pointers Tuesday night to lift No. 14 North Carolina past Clemson 69-53.
Sean May added 17 points for the Tar Heels (18-8, 8-7 Atlantic Coast Conference), who improved to 50-0 all-time at home against the Tigers.
North Carolina's home streak against Clemson is the second-longest in NCAA history. Princeton won 52 straight home games against Brown from 1929-2002, setting the record for consecutive home wins against one opponent.
Sharrod Ford scored 14 to lead the Tigers (10-17, 3-13), who will enter next week's ACC tournament as the No. 9 seed.
Clemson won the first meeting 81-72, shooting 56 percent and going 11-for-13 from 3-point range. But the Tigers couldn't repeat that performance. They also had more turnovers (23) than field goals (21) Tuesday, and shot just 43 percent.
McCants came in averaging 22 points and shooting 54 percent in his last 12 games, and continued his recent strong play. After scoring 22 points and hitting two key 3-pointers in Sunday's win against North Carolina State, McCants went 11-for-19 from the floor, routinely finding openings along the perimeter.
He matched the school record with a 3 from the right wing, giving the Tar Heels a 53-41 lead and bringing the Smith Center crowd to its feet with 8:12 to play. He went 8-for-13 from behind the arc.
McCants found space so easily against the Tigers' physical man defense that Clemson coach Oliver Purnell yelled to his team "Quit leaving McCants open!" during a timeout with 6:59 left.
McCants was the only Tar Heels player to find much rhythm against Clemson's physical man defense. The rest of the Tar Heels combined to shoot 17-for-45.
North Carolina shot 44 percent, and hit 11 of 23 3-pointers.
The Tar Heels were short-handed for the second straight game, playing without top reserve Jackie Manuel. Manuel sprained his right ankle in practice Friday and missed the N.C. State win.
