Furman Battles Wyoming in Final Game at Mrytle Beach Invitational
The Furman Paladins Men’s Basketball team (3-1) finishes out the Mrytle Beach Invitational versus a very stout Wyoming Cowboys team (3-1) in the 5th place bracket game. (Game Thread)
Its game time for this battle of teams that look to get back to the NCAA tourney this year. First basket of the game goes to Wyoming with a 3 pointer. Furman has had a few bad passes, and the team is looking like its struggling with the lineup, its 7-0 Wyoming till Foster hits a three and its now 9-3. Media time out as we are with 15:43 left in the first half.
Furman out of the timeout is starting to get on a role and closed into a 12-8 game down by four with 12:34 left in the game. Furman has changed out players more this game with the addition of several players back from sickness as Vanderwall hits a 3 pointer and its 14-11.
Coach Richie is getting better play out of the switching around of guys the last couple of media timeouts, Foster is back in, and the core stays the same as it started. The defense is playing well and has Wyoming in a bad way, as the Cowboys call a timeout to get their team focused as Furman has a great approach to their playing style. Furman needs to keep the defense going as its 25-17 with 7 minutes left in the half. Furman starts to battle back and its 28-24 with 5 minutes left in the half as they come to a media timeout.
Furman looking to get a strong finish to the half with under 3 minutes to go, with score 32-26 after a goal tending call on Wyoming. Furman has had some great chances in this game to get back in it with steals, but constant misses on passes have caused them to lose momentum. Wyoming has gone on a tear and will end the half in the lead 37-28!
The halftime stats for Furman Foster and Whitt lead with 5 points apiece, Foster leads in Rebounds with 3 also, as it’s been a low scoring defensive affair here at Coastal Carolina arena here on the beautiful Campus of Coastal Carolina. Coach Richie will have to get his guys ready for a better shooting 40% at the half and get better at the passing which has caused major chances coming off steals.
It’s time for the second half of play as Furman will get the ball first, and it’s a quick foul on Wyoming. Foster scores and a foul to get Furman back in the game 37-31 as the crowd who has traveled for Furman is yelling defense and helping the guys feel energized. Media time out after Wyoming went on yet another run and its now 45-31. Furman has closed to within 12 points as the crowd slowly is getting back into the game for Furman.
Markus Foster now in double figures with 10 points, Pegues with 7 points, and the crowd is up as Bowser gets a huge score 53-44 with 11 minutes to go. Media timeout so we are ready to get into the final 10 minutes 53-46 is our score.
Furman takes a time out and its 62-50 with 7:21 left in the game, Wyoming has taken control of the game so far, as Furman has answered the bell many times, there is still time to catch up and get back in this game. Foster (18) is now the leading scorer in Mrytle Beach tourney history and if Furman comes back in the game, it will be the biggest comeback in this tournament’s history. The score after a huge foul is 62-58 as Furman is getting back in the game. The crowd is really into helping the Paladins get back in this game, 66-62 with 4 minutes left.
The game is now 70-65 with under 2 minutes remaining. Furman at the line #1 Pegues and he hits the first one, second one is in 70-67 as Furman is now within 3 points but Wyoming hits a 3 pointer and its 75-67. Bowser is fouled and heads to the line for 2 shots, and he misses the first, the second one in and its 76-71 after a huge 3 pointer by Pegues.
