Clemson gets past LSU 64-61 in Paradise Jam

ST. THOMAS, U.S. Virgin Islands (AP) Damarcus Harrison scored 16 points as Clemson topped LSU 64-61 on Monday in the fifth-place game of the Paradise Jam.

Clemson knocked down 7 of 8 free throws in the final 4 minutes and LSU's Jordan Mickey missed a 3-pointer in the closing seconds.

Clemson (3-2) went 2-1 in the tournament for the third time in three appearances after falling to Gardner-Webb in its opener.

''It was very important for us to get a tough win after we lost a tough game that we had, that we kind of blew as a team - coaches as well,'' said Clemson's Rod Hall, who made two free throws with 17 seconds left. ''We are never going to give up, and we're going to give it our best. We work on free throws a lot, and it paid off in the long run.''

Mickey had 18 points and 10 rebounds for LSU (3-2). Tim Quarterman added a career-high 16 points.

''We have to make sure that we do a better job of finishing basketball games,'' LSU coach Johnny Jones said. ''We've done a great job making sure we're there close, but we've got to finish.''

LSU opened the game 1-for-10 shooting as Clemson took an early 8-2 lead. But Mickey helped LSU crawl back into the game with 16 points in the first half, and the teams traded the lead six times before LSU went to halftime with a 31-30 lead.

The second half went back and forth as the teams exchanged the lead eight times and were tied on seven occasions.

LSU stayed close despite standout forward Jarell Martin going to the bench with his fourth foul with 18 minutes left.

Clemson freshman Donte Grantham knocked down a 3-pointer with 1:59 to pay for a 57-56 lead. After LSU split a pair of free throws, Jaron Blossomgame tipped in a basket and Harrison later hit a free throw to put Clemson up three with 51.5 seconds left.

LSU got within one point on two occasions under the 1 minute mark, but Landry Nnoko and Hall made 4 of 4 free throws to seal the win for Clemson.

''It brings a lot of positive momentum,'' Clemson coach Brad Brownell said. ''We had a couple tough losses, and obviously the one to Gardner-Webb just eats at us because we did the right things for most of the game, and then we just fell apart.''

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TIP-INS

Clemson: Sophomore center Sidy Djitte did not dress for Clemson. He hyper-extended his left knee on Saturday against Nevada. ... Clemson lost its tournament opener to Gardner-Webb after calling a timeout in the final seconds of a tied game when the Tigers did not have any left.

LSU: Grammy Award winner Bruce Hornsby was in attendance at the game, watching his son Keith play for LSU. ... LSU lost the tournament opener to Old Dominion.

TRAVELLING SHOW

It was the sixth meeting between the programs - in six different venues. The all-time series is now tied 3-3. The last meeting was a 111-103 win by LSU in 1969 as Clemson native Pete Maravich led his Tigers over his hometown team.

FIRST START

After playing three combined minutes in the team's first four games, LSU senior John Odo started the game. He finished with seven points in 24 minutes.

NEXT

Clemson plays host to High Point on Friday.

LSU returns to Baton Rouge to host McNeese State on Saturday.