Furman Basketball Takes the Court 2023\24 Season and Accepts SoCon Rings
Furman comes out fast and takes a 3-2 lead to start the game as the defending SoCon Men’s basketball champs are out to start the year with a opening home game win after accepting their rings before the game with several of the former players from last year in attendance.
With 11:34 left in the first half Furman leads 20-16, Smith and Foster lead the way with 5 points each, Foster leads with 3 Rebounds as we come out of timeout. The next stoppage in play at 7:13 we have Furman 26-20 with Furman still in the lead. Furman has been able to get the boards but has had trouble getting the ball into the net on a constant bases.
The Paladins with under 4 minutes are up 35-22 and starting to impose their will on the Crusaders, both teams come out of a timeout with just over 3 minutes left and the score still 35-22 and we are getting closer to the end of the half with Williams leading the scoring with 8 points, and both Foster and Whitt with 6 points apiece.
Timeout with 1:40 left in the game and Furman is now ahead 38-25 and getting great offensive rebounds but are still struggling to get shots in, as both teams are having some first game jitters. Its halftime and the Paladins lead 42-32 as North Greenville was able to get a 3 pointer in to end the half. Foster leads the Paladins with 10 points, Williams with 8 points, and Whitt & VanderWal with 6 a piece. Furman’s biggest lead was 17 and best scoring run was 9 points. The Paladins are shooting 44% FG range, 1-12 from 3pt range, FT 78% in the first half.
The second half starts with both teams banging the boards and as we reach the first timeout its 51-42 Furman as North Greenville is matching them with shots so far. The score is now 56-48 as Furman is fouled going into a media timeout with 11:54 left in the game.
At the 8:56 minute mark, Foster leads Furman with 18 points, Whitt with 9, and Hugey and Williams with 8 points apiece. Furman has 8 fouls as North Greenville has 6 as we are back out of the media time out. Players are starting to get testy, and the refs are hearing it for calls the fans and coaches are not pleased with, as it seems all are having game rust here in the first game of the season. Paladins are now up 65-53 with 6:38 left in the game.
The Paladins are now leading 77-63 with just over a minute left in the game as it is getting even more physical down low. It’s under a minute to go and Furman is now leading 80-65 with both teams having 10 fouls. The Paladins win the game 84-68 over North Greenville, make sure to watch the videos below for comments from players and Coach Ritchie.
