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The Furman Paladins Men’s basketball team traveled to Birmingham, AL to face the number one team in the Southern Conference on Wednesday evening and came up just short against the 24-4 Samford Bulldogs on their home floor.
The Paladins (15-13, 9-6) having won their last three contests, but that streak was ended by the Bulldogs (24-4, 13-2) who have now won 7 of their last 8 games.
Samford controlled the pace for much of the game, holding a consistent lead for the entirety of the first half and much of the 2nd. Furman managed to stay just behind the Bulldogs, in striking distance of the lead. The Paladins struck with about 4 minutes to go in the game, taking a lead 64-62 lead on a JP Pegues 3 pointer.
The remainder of the contest was a back and forth affair, as first Samford leaped ahead, and then Furman answered in kind. With just under a minute to play, Furman held a 72-67 lead.
Regrettably for the Paladins, Samford erased the lead quickly, evening the game at 72 with about 30 seconds in regulation. Moments later, with a mere two seconds remaining, Samford’s Jermaine Marshall laid the ball in to give Samford the advantage and the eventual 74-72 victory.
Pegues led the Paladins with 33 points, including six threes, while Garrett Hien added 8 points to the Furman total.
Four Bulldogs eclipsed the double digit mark, as Marshall (15), Jaden Campbell (12), Rylan Jones (17), and Nathan Johnson (13) all pitched in in the Samford victory.
The Paladins will return to the court on Saturday afternoon when they play host to Wofford at Timmons Arena in Greenville, SC. For more coverage of Furman Paladins athletics, be sure to follow the Furman Joust podcast on Twitter/X or explore our website at FurmanJoust.com.
