The Furman Paladins hosted the University of North Carolina Greensboro Spartans in Timmons Arena on Thursday, Feb. 8. Before the game, Furman was given an administrative technical foul due to the dysfunctionality of the shot clock horn, giving UNCG a 1-point advantage going into the game.
The first quarter was filled with missed shots by the Spartans, who went 2-17 from the field. Furman, on the other hand, went 4-11 and connected on three of seven three point attempts. The Dins concluded the quarter with a 11-9 lead.
Greensboro’s forward Kalin Cain tied the game in the opening of the second half with a jump shot in the paint. As the teams battled back and forth, the game was tied four times in the quarter.
Furman led for most of the quarter but their biggest lead was four points. UNCG’s scoring troubles continued as they went 5-16 from the field and 0-4 from the 3-point line. Sophomore guard Niveya Henley spearheaded Furman’s largest scoring run by draining all four free throws at the end of the first half.
The second half played out similarly, with both teams exchanging baskets and a tied score at the end of the third quarter. Furman led for 4 minutes and 55 seconds, while UNCG held the lead for 4 minutes and 15 seconds. The game went to the fourth quarter tied at 41 apiece.
After freshman center Hanna Hansson made a layup to put the Dins up 54-51, Greensboro guard Nia Howard stole a pass and laid it in to cut Furman’s lead to one. Furman committed another turnover, leading to a second consecutive UNCG layup and hence a change of the lead in favor of the Spartans.
Junior forward Jada Session was fouled with 16 seconds left in the game, and then sank both free throws to put the Paladins back up by one. In response, UNC scored with ten seconds left to reclaim the lead. Furman turned the ball over again with four seconds left and fouled UNCG guard Jayde Gamble. She made both of her free throws to put the Spartans up 59-56. As time expired, Furman’s last chance effort fell short when senior guard Evie DePetro missed on a desperation 3-pointer.
Henley led Furman with 24 points and contributed six rebounds. Session added 10 points and six rebounds of her own. DePetro paced the team with six assists, a new career high. Over the course of the game, there were 16 lead changes and eight ties.
Following the loss, Furman dropped to 12-12 (2-6 SoCon). The Paladins will next host the Catamounts of Western Carolina University 6-17 (1-7 SoCon) on Saturday, Feb. 10 at 2 p.m.
