Clemson edges Nevada 59-50

ST. THOMAS, U.S. Virgin Islands (AP) — Jaron Blossomgame scored 13 points to lead Clemson to a 59-50 victory against Nevada in a consolation semifinals game at the Paradise Jam on Saturday at the University of the Virgin Islands.

Landry Nnoko added 10 for the Tigers (2-2), who recovered after losing two consecutive games to Big South teams - Winthrop on Sunday at home and Gardner-Webb on Friday in the opener at the Paradise Jam.

The Tigers lost Friday’s opener in the Paradise Jam after calling a timeout it did not have in the final seconds of a tie game against Gardner-Webb.

Clemson took command with a 16-0 run in the first half, fueled by two 3-pointers from Rod Hall and capped by a spin move to score by Landry Nnoko to put Clemson up 26-11 with 7:18 until halftime, and tooka 39-24 advantage into the break.

Clemson’s Donte Grantham, who missed much of the first half after getting hit in the face, ignited a second-half run after the Wolf Pack had closed the deficit to 11 points.

His pull-up jumper and baseline runner ignited a 9-0 run to make the lead 50-30 with 13:17 to play.

Nevada got the margin down to 55-47 with 5:12 to play, but the Wolf Pack would not score again until there was just 17.6 seconds to play and the game was decided.

The Tigers will now play for fifth place in the tournament on Monday against the winner of Saturday’s Louisiana State-Weber State game.

D.J. Fenner and Tyron Criswell scored 11 points apiece for Nevada (2-2), which will play the loser in Monday’s seventh-place game.