Clemson's Purnell signs contract extension

State Report

CLEMSON — Clemson basketball coach Oliver Purnell has signed the contract extension that was announced in March, senior associate athletic director Katie Hill said Wednesday.

The contract isn't official because it's awaiting some other signatures — including that of president James Barker -— but Hill said Purnell's putting pen to paper means the contract is wrapped up. Hill said the contract's details will be released soon.

On March 18, a few days before Clemson played Villanova in the NCAA Tournament, Clemson announced that Purnell's contract was being extended through the 2013-14 season while boosting his guaranteed compensation into the top third of the ACC.

The deal, which pushes his total compensation past $1 million, contains an increase in salary, bonuses, and heavy emphasis on deferred compensation.

The 54-year-old Purnell is 94-68 in five years at Clemson, including a 49-21 record the past two seasons. The Tigers went 24-10 last season and advanced to the NCAA Tournament for the first time since 1998 while also reaching the ACC Tournament finals for the first time since 1962.

College basketball

The College of Charleston women opened their tour of Costa Rica with a 51-23 exhibition win over the Goicoechea Club team in San Jose. C of C was led by Ericka Williams with 15 points, Deidra Jones with 13 and Tonia Gerty and Brooke Kotcella with seven each. The teams played by International Basketball Federation (FIBA) rules.

The Cougars play Costa Rica University today.

College track

Charleston Southern sprinter Dionne Gibson was named Big South Conference women's track athlete of the week.

Gibson, a junior, bettered her NCAA regional qualifying time by .06 seconds in the 200 meters as she finished second in the event at the Clemson Orange and Purple Invitational with a time of 23.69. Gibson won the 400 in 56.09, a full second ahead of the runner-up.