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University of Massachusets Athletics
UMass Falls To Clemson In Season Opener, 67-52
November 19, 1999 | Women's Basketball
Nov. 19, 1999
CLEMSON, S.C.--Nuria Forns and Datishella Byrd both scored career highs of 15 points each in leading Clemson to a 67-52 win over Massachusetts in a women's intercollegiate basketball game at Clemson, SC Friday night.
It was the season opener for both teams. Two other Clemson players, Erin Batth and Krystal Scott scored in double figures with 11 points each. Forns and Batth both had 10 rebounds each.
Massachusetts' Alison MacFarland scored 10 points and pulled down eight rebounds, while sophomore Nekole Smith pulled down 13 rebounds and added eight points to lead UMass. UMass freshman Jennifer Butler scored eight points and pulled down nine rebounds in her collegiate debut.
Massachusetts led 18-14 in the first half with 8:22 remaining. However Clemson went on a 14-4 run to build a 28-22 lead with 3:36 left on the clock as Krystal Scott scored five points in this Lady Tiger run. The Lady Tigers led 36-29 at the half.
Clemson built its largest lead of the game of 19 points (63-44) with 3:18 left in the game fueled by a 11-0 run (6:38-3:18) as Scott again led the rally with four points.
UMass surged back getting a lay-up from Caroline Nehls and a three-pointer from MacFarland, but Clemson converted on three of five free throw opportunities to finish the game. The Minutewomen were plagued by sloppy play committing 25 turnovers in the game and shooting only 33 percent (21-63) from the field. Clemson's shooting was not much better as the Lady Tigers shot 21-53 from the floor for a .396 figure.
Clemson now has a 22-3 record over the years when playing its first home game of the season. The Lady Tigers also have a 19-6 record in season-opening games.
The Minutewomen will travel to Charlotte, N.C to take on UNC Charlotte on Sunday at 2:00 p.m. Clemson will play host to Mississippi on Monday night at 8:05 p.m.
