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GREENVILLE, S.C. — Furman built just enough cushion to survive and showed just enough poise to finish Wednesday night, opening Southern Conference play with a 74–72 win over Mercer at Timmons Arena in a game that never truly felt secure until the final horn.
The Paladins (10-4, 1-0 SoCon) led by double figures early in the second half but spent the final minutes fending off a relentless Mercer push. The Bears (8-6, 0-1) trimmed the deficit to a single possession twice in the final minute before Furman sealed the outcome with free throws and a defensive stand.
Fast start, early swings define the opening half
Mercer set the tone early by attacking the rim and dictating the physicality. The Bears opened the game on an 8–2 run, with Baraka Okojie getting downhill and finishing through contact to put early pressure on Furman’s defense.
Furman settled in behind Alex Wilkins, who immediately changed the tempo. Wilkins pushed the ball in transition and sparked a 10–3 Paladin response, finding Asa Thomas on the wing and creating driving lanes for himself as Furman briefly moved in front 12–11.
From there, the first half unfolded as a series of short runs. Mercer reclaimed the lead at 24–21 behind interior baskets and second-chance points, but Furman answered again with sharper ball movement. Tom House knocked down a jumper and Wilkins converted in the lane as the Paladins regained control.
Neither team led by more than five points in the opening 20 minutes. Furman closed the half with better execution, scoring on its final two possessions to take a 36–34 lead into the locker room in a game that already had the feel of a late-possession finish.
Paladins surge out of halftime
Furman finally created separation immediately after the break. The Paladins opened the second half on a decisive 15–5 run, turning a two-point halftime lead into a 51–39 advantage in less than six minutes.
Wilkins was at the center of the surge, scoring seven points during the run and assisting on two more baskets. Thomas knocked down timely jumpers from the perimeter, and House capitalized off ball movement as Mercer struggled to keep Furman out of the lane.
Defensively, Furman forced hurried possessions and limited Mercer’s second-chance opportunities, allowing the Paladins to briefly control the game’s rhythm and energize the home crowd.
Mercer responds, momentum tightens
Mercer refused to let the game slip away. The Bears slowed the pace, attacked inside and began chipping away at the deficit. Okojie continued to score off the dribble, and Armani Mighty asserted himself on the glass as Mercer cut the lead to 60–53 with just under nine minutes remaining.
A three-pointer by Zaire Williams later trimmed the margin to 67–62, pulling Mercer firmly back into the game and forcing Furman into a half-court battle down the stretch.
Late pressure, calm finish
The final minutes became a possession-by-possession grind. Okojie converted at the free-throw line to make it 70–68 with under a minute to play, putting the pressure squarely on Furman.
House responded by calmly knocking down free throws, extending the lead to 72–68. Okojie answered again with an aggressive finish to cut it back to two, but House sealed the game moments later with another trip to the line, pushing the lead to 74–70.
Mercer’s final attempt came up short as Furman closed with a defensive stop to escape with the two-point win.
Wilkins leads balanced effort
Wilkins finished with 18 points and six assists, controlling the tempo and providing steady leadership during Mercer’s late push. Thomas and House added 13 points apiece, giving Furman three players in double figures and consistent perimeter production throughout the night.
Furman also gained an edge on the glass, limiting Mercer’s opportunities during key stretches and capitalizing on its early second-half run.
Okojie led Mercer with 17 points, repeatedly attacking the basket to keep the Bears within reach. Williams scored 10 points, while Mighty pulled down 11 rebounds and battled inside for second-chance opportunities.
What it means moving forward
The win gives Furman an early conference victory and a reminder of the margin for error in Southern Conference play. While the Paladins showed their offensive ceiling during the second-half run, Mercer’s response exposed areas Furman will need to clean up moving forward.
Mercer left Greenville without a win but with proof it can compete deep into league play if it sustains its defensive intensity and rebounding.
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