Furman Paladins Men’s Basketball Faces Anderson Trojans at Timmons
Furman Paladins Men’s Basketball (6-6) is done with Christmas break and has one last foe before entering conference play and it comes in the SAC powerhouse Anderson Trojans 5-6) who comes in on a two-loss streak. The numbers have these teams being close, also a note Jimmie Williams a former Furman Asst. Coach now as Coach of Anderson Trojans as a familiar face again at Timmons.
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Paladins last game before Christmas break was a huge victory over Presbyterian 76-61 which saw several Paladins have a huge game but none more than Garrett Hien who posted a double-double, first of his career with 19 points and 11 rebounds, and also, we saw JP Pegues has a huge night with 21 points. Today Garrett will need some help by the way of PJay Smith and Alex Williams due to Marcus Foster and JP Pegues out of the game.
Furman starts out the gate with a 7-2 lead at the 16-minute mark. We come to our first media timeout and the Paladins are leading 9-2 with 15:44 left in the half. Furman has 6 points in the paint with Carter Whitt the leading scorer with 5 points and Garrett Hien 4 points. Anderson has fought its way back in the game as its 13-12 with 12 minutes left in the game, and Furman gets in a shot and now its 15-12. As we get another timeout out its 19-16 with Furman in a shot out with Anderson who has been really giving the Paladins a headache with its four guard players. Furman with 12 points in the paint, and 2 from the bench at this point. Garrett Hein leads the way with 6 points, Carter is next with 5 points for the Paladins..
Official timeout and the Paladins cling to a small 28-24 lead as the Trojans have been giving the Paladins fits on the court with its guard play. A huge turn out here at Timmons arena for both teams with students still not back yet.
Garrett Hien with 10 points leads the Paladins with 18 points being scored in the paint by the Paladins. The Paladins now have a 31-29 lead with just 4 minutes left in the game as the fans of both teams are into the game. Anderson gets a huge save by guard Andre Wright Jr. who has a great game as he flew to get a ball before it got into the stands and was able to save it while tight rope walking three chairs while the other guard caught and scored, and Anderson takes its first lead 32-31 with 3:10 left in the half. Some bad passes by Furman and clutch shots by Anderson and its 39-34 Anderson now over Furman with a minute to go. We are at halftime as Furman is behind the Trojans 34-39 and Coach Richie will have to get the team to get better with its passing game as they have lost the ball many times while trying to score.
The Paladins have scored 20 points in the paint while getting 5 points off the bench and 1 point off turnovers, 48% from the floor, 11% from 3-point range and 63% from the FT line so far today. Garrett Hien leads the Paladins with 10 points, Carter Whitt with 8 points, PJay Smith with 6 points, and Davis Molnar with 5 points. Coming out of halftime its 47-39 as the Trojans extend the lead on the Paladins.
The Anderson defense has been great so far against the Paladins as we come to a media timeout and its 41-49 Trojans in the lead over Furman as the Paladins are 24 points in the paint, and 6 points off the bench. The Paladins get a few steals and now its 49-44 with 15 minutes to go in the game.
The score has now grown again as Anderson is now ahead 54-44 over the Paladins. Furman has had a hard time adjusting to the Anderson guards. Media timeout at the 11:46 mark and Furman is still down 51-60 to the Trojans of Anderson. Anderson has outscored Furman 21-17 in the half so far.
Furman is trying its best to sneak back into this game as its 65-55 with 7 plus minutes left in the game. We come to a media timeout and Furman has gotten closer 57-65, yet Anderson still leads with 6:36 left in the game.
Time is going fast, Furman has to get back in this game or its going to be too late, Anderson guard play is really giving the Paladins trouble. Hien and Molnar lead the Paladins with 11 points, Whitt has 8 points and while Smith and VanderWal have 7 points apiece. Furman with 32 points in the paint, 16 off the bench, 6 second chance points, and 5 points off turnovers. Huge steal and slam by Furman and its now 65-63 with 5 minutes left in the game. Paladins have battled back from down 10 points to be just under 2 points. The crowd noise is deafening in Timmons as its loud as they cheer on both teams to make a play, The game is tied at 65-65 and the top is coming off the arena with the noise, Anderson gets the lead back 69-65 with 3:16 left in the game. Media timeout with a personal foul on VanderWal called its 69-65 with 3:08 left in the game.
This game has been great since the opening tip, both teams are giving 100% and throwing shot punches and crazy passes. Garrett Hien is doing his best to keep Furman in the game as its 69-72 with 1:11 left in the game. Media timeout and the music is loud, the fans going crazy as its been a heavyweight fight type feel all game between these two teams. Garrett Hien gets another huge shot and foul its now 74-71 Furman down by 3 points still to the Trojans.
That is the game folks, a huge win for Anderson Trojans here at Timmons arena with a 78-74 win over Furman today. You have to give it to the Trojans who gave Furman a hard-fought game.
