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Paladins Seize Control After Halftime Deadlock
Furman arrived at the Schar Center needing a performance that traveled, and they delivered one. The game opened as a back-and-forth sprint, with both teams trading mini-runs but neither creating separation. Elon pushed tempo early and hit a pair of tough jumpers to grab brief momentum, yet Furman answered each surge and steadied the pace. By halftime, the scoreboard reflected the tight flow: 44–44.
The real shift came in the first five minutes of the second half. Furman tightened its defensive rotations, strung together three stops, and turned them into quick points. A strong drive from Asa Thomas, followed by a corner three from Tom House, sparked an 11–4 burst that gave the Paladins the breathing room they had lacked. From there, they controlled the matchup with more poise and better spacing, eventually outscoring Elon 53–44 in the half.
Thomas Guides the Offense Through Pressure
Elon tried repeatedly to speed Furman up, especially after baskets, but Thomas handled those moments with calm. After an Elon run cut the lead to four midway through the second half, Thomas answered with a drive that drew contact and stopped the bleeding. Moments later, he attacked again and whipped a kick-out pass to Ben Vander Wal for a rhythm three. Those plays pushed the lead back to nine and steadied Furman’s control.
Thomas finished with 21 points, but what mattered more was when he scored. His timely bursts came at points where Elon threatened to shift momentum, and his free-throw trips helped quiet the building crowd. His presence set the tone for the rest of the backcourt.
Bowser and Johnston Swing the Game Inside
While Furman’s guards organized the offense, the turning point came in the paint. Early in the second half, Elon tried to attack inside to change the tempo. Instead, it sparked a wave of Furman stops. Charles Johnston blocked back-to-back shots at the rim, and those plays led directly to transition points — a Bowser dunk and a Vander Wal finish.
Bowser used that stretch to ignite his night. He scored several of his 19 points during a key 14–6 run that pushed the lead into double digits. His perfect shooting wasn’t just efficient — it was timely. Every finish seemed to come after an Elon make or a lengthy possession where Furman needed someone to assert control.
Johnston, meanwhile, anchored the defensive glass and protected the rim at moments when Elon became aggressive downhill. His 11 rebounds helped limit second-chance points and kept Furman in rhythm offensively.
Bench Gives the Lift Furman Needed
Elon tried a final push with eight minutes left, hitting two quick threes to cut the lead to six. Furman answered with its depth. House knocked down a wing three after good ball movement, and freshman guard Alex Wilkins followed with a driving layup through traffic. Those baskets capped a 7–0 response that pushed the lead back to 13.
Collin O’Neal added another key moment late. With the shot clock running down and Elon pressuring high, he slipped into the lane for a short jumper that kept the Paladins in control. Furman’s bench didn’t just support the starters — it stabilized the game during every tense stretch.
Defense Clamps Down When It Matters
Elon’s guards had strong individual moments, especially Chandler Cuthrell, who hit a contested three to pull the Phoenix within five early in the second half. But Furman made the necessary adjustments. They shaded drives toward help, protected the rim, and took away catch-and-shoot opportunities on the wings.
Those adjustments showed during the decisive closing stretch. In the final four minutes, Elon managed only one field goal, a late layup off a broken play. Furman’s discipline late — closing out under control, switching cleanly, and finishing possessions with rebounds — ensured there would be no late twist.
A Road Win That Changes the Trajectory
Furman didn’t leave Elon with a fluky road win. They left with proof they can close games, survive runs, and lean on depth in a tough environment. They played with clarity. They played with balance. And they played with the composure of a team beginning to discover who it can be.
After an uneven stretch to start the year, this performance felt like a step forward. It felt like the version of Furman that can compete with anyone on the schedule.
Next Up: A Chance to Build Momentum
The Paladins now return home for Harvard on Dec. 6. They take momentum, confidence, and cleaner roles into that matchup. Their rotations feel sharper. Their offense looks more organized. Their defensive identity appears clearer.
This next stretch of the schedule offers opportunity. And after Wednesday night, Furman looks ready to take advantage.
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