Furman Samford in a Physical Battle
First Half Hightlights
The Furman Paladins and Samford Bulldogs are battling at the Bon Secour Wellness Arena. So far, we have seen bad shot selection and turnovers plague Samford to a four-point deficit at the first media timeout. It is 13-9 with 13:53 to go in the first half. After a few more plays and missed shots, Furman stretches their lead to 16-9 with 2 seconds remaining on the shot clock for Samford. Shooting percentages and rebounds are all but even currently with nine minutes to go. Furman leads 16-12. Turnover and a three from Anderson to make it 19-12 Furman 7:51 to go in the first half. Hien and Bowser with back-to-back dunks to make it 25-16 with 5:43 to go first half. Furman and Samford go blow for blow for a moment, but Furman sports a 32-21 lead with 3:20 to go. Time winding down in the first half with Furman maintaining a twelve-point lead with 1:23 to go. What a game so far as we go to half 33-25!
https://youtube.com/shorts/AmRskzEtFUM?si=fuAVDWn5_BhkhgaE
2nd Half Highlights
Samford opens up on a bit of a run to start the second half, cutting the Furman lead to 6. 35-29 with 18:20 to go in the second half. Make that 37-29 Furman as I type the previous statement. Samford puts on a full court pressure, gets a 3 pointer then Furman turns it over again to let Samford cut the lead to 37-34. Hien and Bowser beat the pressure and score an easy two to make it 39-34. This is a very defensive basketball game and getting very physical. Furman gets back-to-back offensive rebounds finished off by a Bowser tip in to make it 44-36 with 14:52 to go in the second half. Charles Johnston gets a bucket and the foul to make it 51-39 Furman with 12 minutes to play. Samford’s Julian Brown hits a 3 to cut the lead to 9 51-42 and now 54-44 after 2 more quick baskets. Furman and Bowser beat the full court pressure again, but Samford gets away with a foul to cut the lead to 7 with 9:47 to go. Samford has climbed all the way back to a one point deficit with 6:29 to go in the second half. 61-60 Furman lead. Trey Fort takes and knocks down a 3-pointer to make it 63 all with 5 minutes to go. Bowser comes up with back-to-back blocks to hold a 2-point Furman lead with 3:43 to go. Nick Anderson with a clutch 2 to make the lead 70-65 with 1:25 to go. 44.6 seconds to go and the score remains the same with Furman maintaining a 5 point lead. We are down to 14.2 seconds to go and Furman holds onto a slim 2 point lead and possession currently. Cooper Bowser makes a pair of free throws to make the lead 72-68 but Samford follows up with a 2 pointer with 5.8 seconds to go. PJ Smith misses 2 free throws to allow Samford a 3 pointer for the win and it doinks off the rim! What a game as Furman holds on 72-70 while shooting almost 50% from the field!
Don’t forget to also subscribe to the Furman Joust YouTube page and myself at Southern Fried Sports!
