Paladins Face Bucs at BSWA
The Furman Paladins Men’s Basketball team (14-3, 2-2 SoCon) face off tonight versus the ETSU Bucs (10-7, 2-1 SoCon) at bons Secours Wellness Arena. Furman coming a huge disappointing loss to Wofford Monday night while ETSU was able to beat the Citadel at home 70-52. The Paladins look to get back to their winning ways and get back to showing why most in the country consider them a top mid major team in the bracketology.
After the first media timeout, Furman is down 9-8 to ETSU as the Paladins have looked way better than last week so far. Cooper Bowser leads the Paladins with 4 points, while Smith and Hien both have 2 points apiece. Furman at the next media timeout is again down by one 16-17 to ETSU with Furman taking the lead twice, but ETSU has been able to hit the three-point shot to stay ahead of the Paladins.
Furman with 7:50 to play in the first half is down 21-24 to ETSU with Charles Johnston on the line after a hard foul and a chance to shoot two to close in on the Bucs lead. Furman is shooting 33% from 3-point range, 46.7% from FG% with 7 rebounds, and shooting 83% from the free throw line. Furman win with 43 seconds left in the half is down 32-36 and has kept ETSU in sight with the play of Forward Davis Molnar who is giving a Charles Oakley type playing style tonight. The Paladins right before the half hit a huge 3 point shot and its now 36-35 at halftime. The Paladins are shooting 33.3% from 3-point range, 41.4% from FG range, with 16 rebounds and 3 steals. Smith, Molnar, and Anderson all have 7 points to lead the Paladins, while VanderWal leads with 4 rebounds, Johnston with 3 for the Paladins.
Furman comes out to start the half hot and takes the lead as we go into the first media timeout with 15:41 to go in the game. Furman is still leading at the 14-minute mark 48-44 and the crowd has come alive at the WELL. The rebounding has picked up as Furman now is at 22 for the game so far.
The Paladins at the 8:26 mark are now leading 54-53 and are trying to stay on top as ETSU is playing hard to keep the Paladins in site. Media timeout and here are the numbers as of right now as we stand with 7:54 left in the game.
Furman and ETSU are giving everyone a great game as with 4 minutes left it is tied up 59-59 and it looks like it’s going to come down to the last shot. The officials are reviewing the last play and call to see who has the ball and Furman gets to shot two and gets the ball. The Paladins hold a 60-59 lead with the ball.
We are now with just 3 minutes left in the game and its 63-60 Furman in the lead over the Bucs of ETSU. Timeout called by ETSU after a huge offensive rebound and tip in by Ben VanderWal and Furman is ahead 65-60 as the fans are on their feet and cheering the team on. The Paladins lead by 7 after a huge basket by PJay Smith Jr. and it is crazy here at the Well. Furman is playing with a huge energy swing, and ETSU is not able to match it at this point. The Paladins have just 1 minute to go and are winning 68-61 and are trying to hold on to this game.
Furman looks like they are going to hold on to win this game as we have 31 seconds left with the Paladins up 70-64 as we have a timeout in the game. Furman has played a complete game, with not as many slip ups as Monday night. Shooting has been so much better, and the fans have been in the game the whole time. We have 4.9 seconds left with a timeout and ETSU has now made it 71-70 and Furman will have the ball coming out of the timeout. This game has been everything you want to see in a game. Furman will win 73-70 and get the win!
