No. 16 Clemson escapes with win over Akron in Cayman Islands

By Anthony Caruso III | Publisher 

The No. 16 Clemson Tigers defeated the Akron Zips on Monday. The Tigers won 72-69 over the Zips at the John Gray Gymnasium in George Town, Grand Cayman, in the Cayman Islands in the Cayman Islands Classic.

The Tigers improved to 4-0 on the season. The Zips suffered its first loss of the season, falling to 3-1. 

Clemson will face the Georgia Bulldogs, who won 80-68 over the Illinois State Redbirds. The Tigers and Bulldogs will tip-off at 1:30 pm local time on November 20th in the winner’s side of the bracket.

Akron faces Illinois State in Game 5 of the tournament. They will tip off at 11 am local time on November 20th in the loser’s side of the bracket.

Shelton Mitchell led the Tigers with 22 points. He also had five rebounds, three assists, and four steals.

Mitchell was one of four Clemson players, who scored double-figures. Marcquise Reed added 16, while Elijah Thomas had 15. Aamir Simms scored 12 points.

The Tigers had five bench points. Clyde Trapp led the bench with three points. He also had five rebounds, three assists, and one steal.

Loren Jackson led the Zips with 25 points. He also had four rebounds and three assists.

Jackson was one of three Akron players, who scored in double-figures. Tyler Cheese and Daniel Utomi also had 13 points each.

The Zips had 21 bench points. Cheese led the bench with his 13 points. He also had two rebounds, one assist, and two steals.