Tide falls at Clemson in final pre-conference tune-up
By Crimson Confidential staff
Posted Jan 6, 2009
Copyright © 2010 CrimsonConfidential.com
Senario Hillman is not only one of Alabama's most high-flying players, but also one of its top defenders. (UA photo)
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CLEMSON, S.C. — Alabama's five-game basketball winning streak ended on Tuesday night, as the Crimson Tide went down at No. 11 Clemson, 66-59.
Alabama (10-5) led by three at 38-35 early in the second half, but a seven-minute scoring drought did in the Crimson Tide at Littlejohn Coliseum. The unbeaten Tigers (15-0) led by as many as 14 points before a late Alabama charge made things respectable.
Alonzo Gee led the way for Alabama with 12 points and eight rebounds. Despite playing in foul trouble all night, Senario Hillman also scored 12 points for Alabama.
Trevor Booker scored 19 points and pulled down nine rebounds to pace Clemson, one of just four unbeaten teams in NCAA Division I. Booker made three consecutive free throws down the stretch after Alabama had cut the Tigers' led to 63-57 with 27.4 seconds remaining.
Alabama opens Southeastern Conference play on Sunday at home against 12-2 LSU, a 91-61 loser at Utah on Tuesday. Tip-off for Sunday's game is set for 12:30 p.m. on Raycom Sports.
