WRAL Sports Fan

WRALSportsFan

Freshman Myers Comes Through in Win at Clemson

By Tim Peeler

Jan 7, 2008

Clemson, S.C. — N.C. State freshman Ernie Myers is proving he can be counted on in the clutch, not only for instant offense, but also with a little defense.

The slashing guard from the Bronx, showing no signs of nervousness in the first ACC game of the season and his career, made two critical plays in the final 75 seconds to lead the 16th-ranked Wolfpack to a rare win at Clemson’s Littlejohn Coliseum, 76-70, Friday night.

Myers, playing in a three-guard rotation with seniors Sidney Lowe and Dereck Whittenburg, shared scoring honors with senior forward Thurl Bailey, with each posting 25 points. Bailey did most of his scoring damage –15 points – in the first half.

With the game on the line, however, Myers and Lowe made the big plays. In the waning minutes, the two teams were going back-and-forth, after the Tigers bounced back from a 17-point first half deficit, primarily thanks to the ACC’s experimental 3-point shot that had previously been the Wolfpack’s biggest friend.

With 1:10 remaining, Myers blocked a jumper by Clemson guard Mike Eppley. Lowe saved the ball from going out of bounds, somehow got it back to Myers, who sped down the court for a layup that gave his team a three-point lead in the tight contest.

Clemson cut the score to 71-70 on its next possession, but Lowe matched those points with a pair of free throws. Following a Clemson turnover on a potential game-tying possession, Myers capped off his remarkable ACC debut by converting a conventional three-point play after he was fouled by Clemson freshman Glen McCants.