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GREENVILLE, S.C. — Furman needed every possession, every rebound and every block to pull out Thursday night’s thriller. Behind a historic triple-double from sophomore forward Clare Coyle and a relentless rebounding effort, the Paladins outlasted Georgia State 90–89 in overtime at Timmons Arena.
Coyle delivered 22 points, 17 rebounds and 11 blocks, becoming the driving force in a game where Furman overcame 32 turnovers and a late Panther push. Guard Raina McGowens added 24 points and 10 rebounds, giving Furman (2–2) the interior strength it needed to survive a tight finish. Georgia State (2–2) was led by Morgan Robinson-Nwagwu’s 25 points, seven rebounds and seven assists, while Crystal Henderson added 17.
🔥 Paladins Dig Deep in an Overtime Classic
Overtime became a possession-by-possession battle after the teams ended regulation tied 75–75. Furman edged the extra period 15–14, leaning on free throws, rebounding and Coyle’s inside presence to stay in front. The Paladins finished 23-of-32 at the line, just enough to keep Georgia State from closing the gap in the final seconds.
Robinson-Nwagwu kept the Panthers alive with drives to the rim, but Furman’s defense held one last stop to seal the one-point win.
💥 Coyle’s Triple-Double Ignites a Momentum Shift
Georgia State dictated the opening quarter, pushing pace, forcing turnovers and taking a 16–14 lead into the first break. The Panthers’ defense generated early pressure, ultimately forcing 32 Furman turnovers on the night.
Furman regrouped in the second quarter behind Coyle’s activity inside. Her rim protection and rebounding slowed the Panthers’ rhythm, helping the Paladins chip away. McGowens began attacking downhill, drawing contact and stabilizing the offense. Georgia State held a narrow 31–30 lead at halftime, setting up a second half full of swings.
🚀 Furman Flips the Script Coming Out of Halftime
Furman came out strong in the third quarter, flipping momentum with a 23–21 frame that gave the Paladins a 53–52 edge heading into the fourth.
McGowens fueled the run with drives into the lane, and Coyle continued to dominate the glass. Furman also got key lift from its bench:
- Alyssa Ervin scored 13 points, hitting timely midrange jumpers.
- Channing Warren added 11, providing scoring energy.
- Lauren Bailey chipped in 11 and three assists.
With better offensive rhythm and strong interior defense, Furman carried a one-point lead into the fourth.
⚔️ Fourth-Quarter Firefight Sends Timmons Into a Frenzy
The fourth quarter turned into a shootout. Georgia State scored 23 points in the period, attacking through Robinson-Nwagwu and Henderson, while Furman answered with 22, relying on McGowens and Coyle to keep pace.
The Panthers made several pushes to take the lead, but each time, Furman responded — either with a second-chance basket or free throws created by strong drives to the rim.
With neither team able to pull away, the game locked at 75–75 as regulation expired, sending Timmons Arena into an overtime roar.
💪 Bench Energy Helps Keep the Paladins Alive
Furman’s bench was critical in stabilizing the game whenever turnovers threatened to shift momentum. Ervin and Warren combined for 24 points and 8 rebounds, including several baskets that halted Georgia State’s late-quarter runs.
Their production helped Furman overcome a cold perimeter night, shooting just 7-of-30 from three, but winning the effort battle inside.
📊 Numbers Tell the Story: Rebounds, Heart and Grit
The stat sheet underscored what mattered most:
- Rebounds: Furman 59, Georgia State 37
- Offensive rebounds: Furman 28 (massive difference)
- Field goals: Furman 40.5% (30–74)
- Three-pointers: 23.3% (7–30)
- Turnovers: Furman 32, Georgia State 20
- Georgia State shooting: 43.1% from the field, 3-for-17 from deep
Coyle’s 11 blocks anchored a defense that limited Georgia State’s perimeter looks and gave Furman repeated second-chance opportunities that proved decisive.
🎯 What This Win Means Moving Forward
Furman improves to 2–2 and remains unbeaten at home, carrying momentum into its matchup against Campbell. Turnovers will be a point of emphasis, but Thursday’s performance showcased toughness, depth, and late-game composure.
Georgia State heads back into nonconference play looking to regain defensive stability on the glass and convert more consistently at the free-throw line after shooting 24-of-38.
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