A dominant performance in overtime handed Furman its sixth conference win of the season (6-5) as the Dins held off Western Carolina University 84-75. The Paladins had a slow start to begin the game, falling behind by eight points during the first 10ten minutes. Several lay-ups and dunks made by sophomore forward Cooper Bowser, senior forward Garrett Hien, and senior guard PJay Smith Jr. brought the score close to even, with Western Carolina leading by only two points (33-31).
Both teams trailed the other during the second half of the contest. With only seconds remaining in the game and Western Carolina up 66-64, senior guard Nick Anderson blazed forward with a lay-up to send the game into overtime. Furman’s commanding performance in overtime concluded the match with the Dins’ largest lead at nine points.
Anderson led the team with 30 points. Furman’s other key players for this match-up included Smith Jr. with 15 points and Hien who contributed a 13- point, 15- rebound double-double.
The Paladins’ nail-biting win over the Catamounts improves Furman’s overall record to 18-6 for the season.