Associated Press
The college roundup …
CLEMSON, S.C. — After three years happily deferring to Clemson star Trevor Booker, Jerai Grant knew this was his time and his season to shine.
The Tigers’ 6-foot-8 senior continued his rise with a career high 20 points to help Clemson (13-4, 2-1 Atlantic Coast Conference) win its eighth straight game, 87-62 over Georgia Tech on Wednesday night.
Grant, the son of Oklahoma standout Harvey Grant, was the perfect complement to Booker. As defenders collapsed around the Tigers’ versatile forward, Grant was there to accept Booker’s deft pass and jam it in the basket.
But with Booker gone as an NBA first-round draft pick, some wondered if Grant was versatile enough to control the post without a partner. Turns out, he is.
Grant said first-year coach Brad Brownell “put a lot of faith in me to take over in certain situations. I’m just doing what he tells me.”
Grant was a big reason for Clemson’s winning streak. He’s had nine straight games with double-figure scoring and has twice surpassed his career best.
Clemson finished 27 of 39 from the field, including 9 of 9 on 3-pointers in the second half.
It was that shooting touch that sunk Georgia Tech (7-8, 0-2).
Davidson 79, Furman 70
DAVIDSON — Nik Cochran scored 22 points, including 13 of 15 from the free-throw line, as Davidson defeated Furman 79-70 in a Southern Conference game on Wednesday night.
It was the 11th consecutive time that the Wildcats (8-8, 2-3) have defeated the Paladins (11-5, 3-2), who haven’t won at Davidson since Jan. 11, 1990.
Davidson trailed 30-21 with 6:49 remaining until halftime before outscoring Furman 18-5 going into the break, including seven points by Cochran.
The Paladins never trailed by more than five in the second half until Chris Czerapowicz hit a 3-pointer and then a 2-point jumper — his only points of the game — to put Davidson ahead 61-54 with 9:01 left. Cochran’s 3-pointer then made it 64-54.
Jordan Miller scored 21 points to lead the Paladins.
The teams spent much of the game at the free-throw line, with Davidson making 28 of 37 and Furman 27 of 34.
UNC Wilmington 76, Delaware 53.
WILMINGTON — Chad Tomko scored 23 points and grabbed eight rebounds as North Carolina-Wilmington defeated Delaware 76-53 on Wednesday night.
Keith Rendleman added 15 points and 11 rebounds before fouling out with three minutes left as the Seahawks (9-7, 3-2 Colonial Athletic Association) sent the Blue Hens (7-8, 2-3) to their 23rd consecutive conference road loss. It also was Delaware’s seventh consecutive loss on the Seahawks’ home floor.
Virginia Commonwealth 70, William & Mary 52
WILLIAMSBURG, Va. — Freshman Rob Brandenberg came off the bench to score a career-high 22 points and lead Virginia Commonwealth to a 70-52 victory over William & Mary.