Down by Double Digits, Furman’s Grit Claims SoCon Quarterfinal Thriller!
The Furman Paladins didn’t flinch in the face of adversity. Trailing by double digits early against a hot-shooting Western Carolina squad in the Southern Conference Tournament quarterfinals, Furman clawed their way back with relentless defense and clutch baskets, ultimately emerging victorious in a heart-stopping 79-76 overtime win.
Scrappy First Half Sets Stage for Epic Comeback
Western Carolina stormed out of the gates, draining shots at a scorching 71% clip. Furman, however, refused to crumble. Fueled by a suffocating full-court press that forced turnovers, the Paladins chipped away at the deficit. A thunderous slam by Cooper Bowser ignited the Furman faithful, and a late 12-2 run sent the Paladins into halftime trailing by a mere two points, 42-40. JP Pegues led the way with 15 points in the opening stanza, showcasing the offensive firepower that would propel Furman in the second half.
Defense Dominates, Shots Start Falling in Tense Second Half
The second half was a defensive slugfest. Baskets were hard to come by, but Furman’s defensive intensity remained unwavering. Key steals and forced shot-clock violations stifled Western Carolina’s momentum. The lead seesawed back-and-forth, with both teams leaving everything on the floor. A monstrous dunk by Furman’s Garret Hien finally snapped a scoring drought and reignited the crowd. The Paladins battled their way to the free-throw line, but missed opportunities kept the Catamounts within striking distance.
Clutch Plays Down the Stretch Force Overtime
With the clock ticking down, nerves frayed, and the score knotted at 67-67, Marcus Foster calmly sank a clutch jump shot to tie the game. Garret Hien then displayed nerves of steel, converting a layup and drawing a flagrant foul to put Furman up by two. However, Western Carolina refused to yield, forcing overtime with a last-second bucket.
Pegues and Whitt Deliver in Overtime Heroics
The extra period was a tense chess match. JP Pegues, Furman’s offensive engine, drilled a much-needed three-pointer to break the overtime scoring drought. Western Carolina’s Vonterius Woolbright answered with a layup and free throw, but Carter Whitt stole the show with a layup that put Furman ahead by two points with just 45 seconds remaining. A final steal and dunk by the Paladins sealed the deal, sending the Furman faithful into a frenzy as the final buzzer sounded.
Furman’s Grit and Determination Shine Through
This victory was a testament to Furman’s unwavering spirit. Faced with an early deficit and a potent Western Carolina offense, the Paladins never wavered. Their relentless defense, timely baskets, and clutch free throws down the stretch proved to be the difference. JP Pegues led the way with a game-high 28 points, while Marcus Foster and Garret Hien provided crucial contributions. With this win, the Furman Paladins advance to the SoCon semifinals, their sights firmly set on a repeat championship. Furman is back in action Sunday March 10th at 4 p.m eastern as they face top seed Samford.
