Paladins and Catamounts in a Battle
First Half Highlights
Western Carolina has come to play a game at Bob Jones University this evening. They are not playing any games making a few big shots and leading 8-7 at the first media timeout. A three pointer by House, a stop on defense, and a monster Hein dunk and 1 makes the score 15-10 with 12:40 to go in the first half. A few quick buckets and some defense brings the Catamounts back even with the Paladins at 15-15 with 11:47 to go. Nick Anderson makes a three pointer and gets a whistle but it’s because he stepped out of bounds. Wow!
Catamounts have taken a 25-17 lead with a flurry of threes in the last few minutes. Furman’s offense has looked stagnant and Western Carolina has looked dynamic. A tale of two stories so far. Hein has a great save and a bucket in transition to make it 26-25 Furman with 6:15 to go first half. Furman seems to be gaining some momentum but Bronson misses a three pointer.
Vernon Collins with a big offense rebound and putback to make the score 28-27 as Furman turns it over and make that 29-28 with 3:57 to go in the first half. Furman is shooting 42.3% from FG range but losing at this point to Western rebounding better and leading. Pelote shoots a pair to tie the game 30-30 with 2:36 to go in the first half. Hein is fouled but can only make one of two. PJay Smith catches an injury and has to come out of the game. Marcus Kell of the Catamounts is owning this game so far with at least 14 points if not more. Western Carolina leads Paladins 33-31. Furman will need Cooper Bowser big in the second half as he was held to only 2 points in the first half.
2nd Half Highlights
I just mentioned Cooper Bowser and he opens with a 2 pointer followed by a PJay Smith. An amazing screen is set and the Paladins cash in but still are losing 42-38 with 15:51 to go in the second half. At the first media timeout, the score is 45-40 Catamounts over Paladins with 15:18 to go. Paladins are being outrebounded 29-20 and being outshot from three point range 31.6% to 21.4%. Catamounts lead 47-41 with 13:57 to go in the second half. Furman brings a zone coverage, gets a stop, and it leads to a Bowser alley-oop from PJay Smith. Another zone coverage, Furman forces a turnover and gets a foul with two free throws from Hein to bring the score to 47-46 with 12:08 to go second half. The stats are virtually even other than Western Carolina making three more three pointers at this point. How will this game end? Who knows?
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We have hit a scoring drought leading up to the second media timeout. Western Carolina holds at lead 49-47 with 7:46 to go. Furman has missed some opportunities as has Western Carolina. Nick Anderson hits a two to bring him into double figure scoring, but Western answers right back to bring the lead back to three at 52-49. Western Carolina makes a shot and catches the and one to possibly bring the lead to six points and they do. 55-49 with 6:30 to go. Davis Molnar hits both ends of a 1 and 1 to close the gap to 57-51. Hein follows up after a turnover to make it 57-53 with 4:55 to go. And another turnover, Molnar comes off a pick and roll flows to the basket and closes the gap to 2 points. 57-55 with 4:40 to go. Western Carolina doesn’t have anyone to handle a press and it results in another turnover. However, they find a way despite some tumultuous times. Anderson makes back to back three pointers for Furman and the score is 63-63 with 1:22 to go. We have an official review for the ball, Furman gets it and we have free basketball between Western and Furman.
Overtime
Nick Anderson starts off the scoring with some free throws and Molnar hits a three pointer while Western Carolina takes a timeout. The score is 73-66 with 2:46 to go in overtime. Furman has completely dominated overtime with their fans making some noise. It is 77-70 with 1:12 to go in overtime. Nick Anderson buries what is basically a logo three pointer and it is 84-75 with 19 seconds to go. Furman is going home a winner. Yall be blessed, not stressed, and FU ONE TIME, FU TWO TIMES, FU ALL The time!!!!! Go Dins!!
