USATSI Photo Gallery

LAS VEGAS - Rutgers (3-3) got 13 points from junior forward Deshawn Freeman and 11 points from sophomore D.J. Foreman, but fell 76-58 to Clemson (4-1) in the consolation game of the Men Who Speak Up Main Event Heavyweight Bracket at the MGM Grand Arena on Wednesday night.

The Scarlet Knights shot 46.8 percent, but were outrebounded 36-25. Clemson got 22 points from each of its starting forwards, Jaron Blossomgame and Donte Grantham, who combined to shoot 16-of-24. Center Landry Nnoko added 14 points on a 6-of-7 performance from the field for the Tigers.

Early in the first half, Clemson capitalized on an RU scoring drought to take an 11-4 advantage. Rutgers diminished the deficit with driving layups and strong work inside, but Clemson countered with hot shooting. Through the first 13 minutes of the opening frame, the Tigers made 75 percent of their attempts from the field, establishing a 34-20 lead.

The Scarlet Knights defense tightened and Clemson experienced a scoring drought of 4:26. Rutgers took advantage, as Freeman scored multiple baskets inside.

The Tigers entered intermission with a 38-26 lead.

RU opened the second half with two quick baskets and matched Clemson with their first three makes of the stanza. The Tigers countered with an 8-3 run, opening up a 52-35 advantage with 11:47 left to play.

Foreman sought to will Rutgers back into the game, picking up his play in the second half with five straight points. Clemson finished off the victory, however, earning the 18-point win.

The Scarlet Knights, who were hampered by injuries, established a 21-6 advantage in bench points, as 11 players saw action. Freshman guard Corey Sanders exited the game in the first half due to a toe injury and did not return.

Rutgers next takes to the hardwood versus Wake Forest on Monday (Nov. 30) night at the RAC in the Big Ten - ACC Challenge. The contest will be televised live on ESPNU at 7 p.m.

Postgame Notes
• Deshawn Freeman led the team with 13 points. He has scored in double figures five times in six games this season.
• D.J. Foreman tied his season-high with 11 points.
• Foreman has now reached double figure scoring in four of six games this season.
• Ibrahima Diallo had a career-high six rebounds.
• Khalil Batie made his season debut.
• The all-time series now stands at 2-1 in favor of Clemson. Last season, Rutgers defeated Clemson 69-64 in Clemson, S.C.
• For the fourth consecutive game, Rutgers started guard Corey Sanders, guard Mike Williams, forward D.J. Foreman, forward Deshawn Freeman and center Greg Lewis.

Postgame Quotes
Head Coach Eddie Jordan

On the game:

"Right from the beginning, it seemed like we were out of sync. We wanted to start in a matchup zone and that...didn't work. And then we didn't take care of the paint well enough. We said that the strength of their game is in the paint, getting the ball to their post ups, drives. At halftime they were one for eight from three. We wanted to shrink the floor. They just took us out of what we wanted to do offensively.

On solid play from big men Ibrahima Diallo and Greg Lewis:

"They played well, but we didn't have enough of it, that's all. We needed Mike (Williams) to make some shots. We needed more from the perimeter. Bishop came in for Corey when he went down and played extended minutes. We just didn't have it offensively. We'll have to do something about that. It seemed like we weren't confident enough with our passes, we were a little bit spooked by their denials and their playing in the passing lane. Our offense got moved out further and further, and we lost some confidence there. We have to get that back."