Paladins and Bulldogs Faceoff
The Furman Paladins (9-1) come into today’s game versus S.C. State (5-6) with a huge win last Saturday versus Princeton, looking to keep their winning ways.
Furman is back in action against SC State. Tip-Off is just 15 minutes away on ESPN+. pic.twitter.com/uMpQSjXcEB
— Furman Basketball (@FurmanMBB) December 14, 2024
The Paladins will need for the defense to be on point, and rely on a strong performance on the boards versus a good Bulldogs team, regardless of what the record may say otherwise. The first break in the action shows what the game will be in allot of ways, a 6-6 tie with 15:47 at the first media timeout. Ben Vanderwal leads the way with 6 points and 2 rebounds, Bowser with 2 points. The next media break has us with the Bulldogs with a 1 point lead 13-12 with the Paladins shooting 37.5% from FG range, 20% from 3 point range and 100% from the line.
Eddrin Bronson for THREEEEEE!!!!! pic.twitter.com/zW5HiIG3cA
— Furman Basketball (@FurmanMBB) December 14, 2024
We enter just under seven minutes to play and the score is 21-17 and the Paladins are hanging tough even with several major missed calls, shooting 38.5% from FG range, 25% from 3-point range and still 100% from the free throw line. Coach Richey has been giving the refs a ear full in this game and has a great reason to be upset. The Bulldog’s defense has been physical in the opening half and has been causing lots of missed passes and opportunities for the Paladins.
— Furman Basketball (@FurmanMBB) December 14, 2024
With just under two minutes to go, Furman is behind 25-29 to the S,C. State Bulldogs and it has been a very physical game with PG PJay Smith out with a injury now in a sling, and lots of interesting calls in the game. Furman keeps playing strong and is staying in the game.
DUNK by Cooper Bowser 🔥 pic.twitter.com/rXfGKWDixQ
— Furman Basketball (@FurmanMBB) December 14, 2024
Halftime Stats:
Halftime pic.twitter.com/Okp1atlL72
— Furman Basketball (@FurmanMBB) December 14, 2024
Furman is shooting 38.9% from the field, 22% from 3 point land, and 83% from the free throw line. Bronson leads with 7 points 2 rebounds, Vanderwal has 5 points, 5 rebounds so far as the Paladins are going to have to come out on fire and figure out how to keep the physical Bulldogs team from pulling away in this game. We start the second half:
Cooper Bowser with the slam! pic.twitter.com/SS5OvU4ufU
— Furman Basketball (@FurmanMBB) December 14, 2024
The Paladins come out firing away and with just under 16 minutes left in the game they are behind 38-34, now at 42% from the field and 27% from 3 point range. Bowser has had three great dunks which has had the fans going crazy. The refs seem to be the issue with the fans as lots of upset Paladin faithful over missed calls or just not happy with ones against the Paladins. Cooper Bowser has been a dunking machine so far with several great passes to the big man. The score is now 43-40 with just under 12 minutes left in the game.
Davis Molnar feeds Cooper Bowser for another dunk! pic.twitter.com/hOas9BRuq4
— Furman Basketball (@FurmanMBB) December 14, 2024
We have a 43-42 ballgame and the fans are really getting into the game as the Paladins are firing back into this game. We also have found out PG PJay Smith is out for the game, and that has to be a big blow to the team. Cooper Bowser has 6 dunks in the last 5 minutes and is leading in scoring 14 points and 3 rebounds, Bronson 11 points 2 rebounds, and VanderWal has 7 points and 8 rebounds so far in the game. The Paladins finally take the lead at 10 minutes left 46-44 and the fans are responding with the noise. The Bulldogs fight back and at the media break with 7:39 left in the game the Paladins are down 50-49.
Tom House's layup puts Furman up 48-47! pic.twitter.com/H4CMEVQgqc
— Furman Basketball (@FurmanMBB) December 14, 2024
We come to the next media timeout and its 58-53 Furman trailing S.C. State with 3:29 left in the game and time is not on Furman’s side as we head to the final minutes. Furman gets back into the game when Tom House hits all 3 of his free throws and its 58-57 Bulldogs still in the lead at 3:07 in the game left to play. Furman with 2 minutes to play takes the lead 59-58 and the fans are back into the game. The Paladins are fighting back and its 62-60 and its loud in the Well. The Bulldogs tie it up 62-62 with 56 seconds left in the game.
It's getting crazy here at The Well as Furman with 35 seconds left has a 64-62 lead! @DaFanboys @DaFanBoys_ @SOTGsmoke @ChaseJusticeTV @JustinGrice1 pic.twitter.com/9aBK4X9lYM
— Sidelines – Furman (@SSN_Furman) December 14, 2024
The Paladins with 11 seconds to go steal the ball and go to the line after a fould by the Bulldogs, and it is 66-62 with Bulldogs getting a dunk on the other end with 4 seconds to go a a chance for Furman to seal it with Anderson shotting two and he gets the first, the next one goes in and its 68-64 Furman wins the game
