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The Furman Men’s Basketball (0-0) open its season tonight at Bons Secours Wellness Arena against the Columbia International (2-0). The Paladins who are picked to finish 5th in the SoCon this year will have a gametime decision on its star senior point guard PJay Smith Jr. They will also be without junior Forward Charles Johnston. The Paladins will be relying on junior forward Ben Vanderwal, Graduate forward Garrett Hien, and Sophomore forward Cooper Bowser, to be the leaders with newcomer’s guard Nick Anderson and guard Tom House to help out till the team becomes full strength.
Season opener is here! Let’s rock!👊🏼#AllDIN // #BetterTogether pic.twitter.com/BsX6r2oYaY
— Furman Basketball (@FurmanMBB) November 4, 2024
Columbia International is off to a 2-0 start with wins over Morris College & Warner already this season. They are coached by former Ohio State and Clemson guard Tony Stockman. The Rams are a well-coached team and look to try and keep Furman off balanced. The game starts off with Furman playing fast paced and well sound basketball as they jump out to a 12-2 lead for the first break in the game.
@FurmanMBB 12@CIURamsmbb 2
15:28 in first half @SOTGsmoke @Carlito25Way @JDWyatt06 @adamtroseberry @jdilla7791 @DaFanboys @SSN_Furman pic.twitter.com/LwnLH08qZI— The Furman Joust (@DaFanBoys_) November 5, 2024
The Paladins come out of the first break shooting away and using the size to their advantage to get out to a 23-4 lead at the 12-minute mark. The next break in the action Furman has now drawn out to a 26-6 lead with Tom House going to the line. The Paladins go into a media timeout with a 38-13 lead.
@FurmanMBB 38@CIURamsmbb 11
7:44 left in first half@SOTGsmoke @Carlito25Way @adamtroseberry @DaFanboys @DafanboysC @GreenvilleSM pic.twitter.com/eRR29jrn7t— The Furman Joust (@DaFanBoys_) November 5, 2024
We get to the 3:52 mark in the game and Furman leads 48-15, with almost everyone getting a chance to play and get reps against the Rams from CIU. Furman defense has been on point tonight and really looking like a top tier team. Paladins have a chance to be special if they can gel together by the time the Southern Conference season starts. We have 47 seconds left and Furman has a 55-15 lead here at Bons Secours Wellness Arena in front of a pretty good crowd for a non-conference home opener.
Halftime @FurmanMBB 58@CIURamsmbb 15@DaFanboys @SOTGsmoke @Carlito25Way @DafanboysC @_WayneAnderson7 @jdilla7791 @adamtroseberry @TheRobBrownShow @FOXSports pic.twitter.com/IOK6mbcSnA
— The Furman Joust (@DaFanBoys_) November 5, 2024
Halftime stats are Tom House 17 points, Mason Smith 9 points, Nick Anderson 9 points, Cooper Bowser leads with 5 assists, VanderWal and Hughey lead with 5 rebounds apiece. The Paladins have looked great in the first half and should have a great second half baring a collapse. CIU as looked out matched in the game and has had several shots just bounce off the rim.
Junior Tom House nets 17 in the 1st half and Furman leads big at the break! pic.twitter.com/Z0R8lkAOOq
— Furman Basketball (@FurmanMBB) November 5, 2024
The Paladins come out strong and send a message that tonight they will not be denied and at the 14-minute mark are ahead 69-22 and pulling away further. The defense has been great, and the shooting has been on par. Furman has 26 total rebounds and is shooting 63% from 3pt range tonight, which is something will need to do this season as much as possible.
Furman at the media break has now jumped out to a huge lead of 81-26 and is getting great play from everyone on the floor. Coach Richey has been pretty pleased from the sideline and has been rotating as many players as possible to get depth built on his bench. We are now at the 9 minutes left in the game and freshman forward Clyde Mauldin has entered the game, from Isle of Palms, SC and will get his chance to get some playing time in this year. CIU has just not been able to get the ball to bounce in and the defense just hasn’t been able to contain Furman.
The Paladins just have 5 more minutes to go as they lead 97-33 in a great game to start the season before they head into a great slate of non-conference games this month. The Paladins are going to finsh this game in grand fashion letting the bench finish out the game and scoring over 100 points in its second game of the season winning 104 to 46.
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