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GREENVILLE, S.C. — Furman spent the first half searching for traction, then spent the second half showing exactly why it remains a factor in the Southern Conference race.
The Paladins leaned on defensive urgency, offensive balance and late-game poise to pull away from Samford for a 78–73 win Thursday night at Timmons Arena. It was not a flawless performance, but it was a composed one, and it pushed Furman to 15–7 overall and 6–3 in league play as the conference schedule tightens.
A First Half Without Rhythm
The opening 20 minutes unfolded largely on Samford’s terms. The Bulldogs slowed the tempo, attacked the paint and forced Furman to defend deep into the shot clock, disrupting the Paladins’ offensive flow and limiting transition chances. Furman struggled to string together sustained momentum, answering Samford runs in pieces rather than waves.
Tom House provided the steadying presence Furman needed early. He attacked off the bounce, absorbed contact and created offense when possessions broke down, preventing the game from slipping away. Still, Samford’s interior success and physicality carried it to a 35–33 halftime lead, leaving Furman searching for sharper execution and more connected play.
Defensive Energy Flips the Game
Furman’s response after the break was immediate and intentional.
The Paladins increased ball pressure, tightened rotations and turned defensive stops into early offense, opening the second half with a 14–3 run that shifted both momentum and control. What had been a narrow deficit quickly became a working Furman lead, forcing Samford to adjust and chase the game.
As the defense settled in, the offense followed. Furman moved the ball with purpose, created cleaner driving lanes and avoided settling for contested jumpers. House continued to apply pressure offensively, finishing with 21 points, but the Paladins’ balance became the defining element of the stretch, as scoring came from multiple spots rather than a single source.
Multiple Answers When It Tightened
Alex Wilkins delivered timely production, scoring 20 points on efficient shooting and providing calm decision-making when Samford threatened to close the gap. His shot selection and free-throw shooting helped stabilize Furman during critical possessions, particularly late in the game.
Just as important were the contributions around him. Ben Vanderwal added 11 points on a perfect night from the field, providing physical finishes inside and punishing defensive breakdowns. Furman’s ability to get scoring from different positions kept Samford from locking in defensively and allowed the Paladins to maintain control without forcing the action.
Samford’s Push Tests Furman’s Resolve
Samford refused to go quietly. Jadin Booth led the Bulldogs with 23 points, repeatedly attacking the rim and putting pressure on Furman’s perimeter defense. Dylan Faulkner’s double-double performance of 19 points and 12 rebounds created second-chance opportunities and kept Samford within striking distance.
With under five minutes remaining, Samford trimmed the deficit to three, briefly shifting momentum and raising the stakes of every possession. The margin was thin, and Furman was forced to execute with discipline rather than speed.
Closing with Collective Poise
Furman answered the challenge by leaning on its structure and trust. The Paladins valued the ball, defended without fouling and made enough plays at the free-throw line to keep Samford from completing the comeback. Wilkins and House shared late-game ball-handling duties, while Furman’s team defense limited clean perimeter looks and controlled the final possessions.
Samford never fully erased the gap, and Furman closed out the five-point win by dictating the final minutes instead of reacting to them. It was a finish built on patience and collective execution.
Why It Matters for Furman
The win keeps Furman entrenched in the upper tier of the Southern Conference standings and highlights the group’s ability to adjust and respond when challenged. While the first half exposed areas still in need of refinement, the second half reflected a team comfortable winning in different ways.
Furman did not rely on a single performance to escape Thursday night. It relied on balance, defensive commitment and shared responsibility — the traits that tend to matter most as conference play grinds on.
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