Clemons breaks Big South record in CU setback

by | Dec 21, 2018 | Campbell, News & Features

Campbell’s Chris Clemons, shown earlier this season, became the Big South Conference career scoring leader. (Dunn Area Sports Photo/Paul Burgett)

ST. PTERSBURG, Fla. ­— Zach Glotta scored a career high 22 points and Chris Porter-Bunton added 19 as Austin Peay defeated Campbell 88-75 on Friday afternoon in the opening round of the St. Pete Shootout.

Glotta made six of his seven from behind the 3-point arc. He hit 7 for 14 overall from the field while Porter-Bunton scored nine of his 19 points at the free throw stripe. Dayton Gumm scored 12 and Jabari McGhee finished with 10 for Austin Peay (7-4).

Chris Clemons surpassed Reggie Williams (2,556) of VMI and became the leader on the Big South Conference all-time scoring list with a made three at the 3:56 mark in the second half. Clemons proceeded to add four more points on the day to hit his season average of 30 points.

After Campbell’s third leading scorer Cory Gensler went down with an injury, Jordan Whitfield recorded a career high in scoring with 12 points on five of six shooting from the field in just 18 minutes of action.

Austin Peay jumped out to a 17-point lead at the 9:55 mark in the first half before Campbell rallied behind a 9-0 run capped off by a breakaway layup from Clemons which pulled the Camels within 28-20, with 5:29 left to play in the opening period.

Austin Peay responded with a 10-3 run to close the half for a 38-23 lead at the break.

Campbell (5-6) opened the second half by scoring the first nine points to pull to within 38-32 before Austin Peay rallied and pulled away again.

The Governors extended their lead to 20, the largest of the game, at the 6:27 mark until Campbell pulled back to within 10 with 2:54 to play after a 14-4 run. The Camels could not get any closer.

Austin Peay was able to outscore the Camels in the paint 38-26 and added 29 points off the bench.

The Governors’ win marked their fifth straight. Austin Peay has not lost since suffering back to back losses to Campbell and Ohio less than a month ago.

Campbell returns to action in the closing round of the St. Pete Shootout against Alabama State at noon today (Saturday, Dec. 22). The Hornets dropped their opening round game to former Big South member Liberty, 73-55, on Friday.

(Campbell media services provided the basis for this report)

Sponsors

WCKB Gospel 780 AM - 102.7 FM

“For The Boys”

– Tom Double

John Lucas
Sports
Photography