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ETSU Bucs hosted #2 ranked Furman Paladins at Freedom Hall on February 4th, to determine the true SoCon leader. Both teams going into this matchup were 16-7 overall, with minimal losses in conference play. This would be the ultimate test for the Bucs to date this season, and for Coach Savage to show this team has what it takes to dominate the conference.
First Half Faults
Over the course of the first half, The Bucs were outperformed in almost every metric. Out the gate, the Paladins had the size advantage, and used it. Forcing the Bucs to shoot their lowest percentage in the last few weeks, at least. Bucs made 9-28 FG attempts (32%), 4-9 3 PT attempts (44%) and 1-3 on FT’s. The Bucs weren’t attempting trick shots, these were goals that time and time again have been made consistently.
Which brings me back to the Paladins size advantage. To date this season, Furman is one of the largest teams ETSU has had to face. The Bucs have had somewhat of a size advantage themselves. In recent games when it’s an equal size matchup, The Bucs have been able to overcome defensively and come out on top. The Paladins in the first half did their homework and were ready to outplay The Bucs, and they did so with some ease.
Second Half Swing
In an almost complete 180, The Bucs came out swinging with grit and determination to overcome the deficit they dug themselves into. After a handful of mins into the 2nd half, you’d think this was a different team. The Bucs used what The Paladins were throwing their way to their advantage. Better passing game, better shooting, and better man to man coverage.
The difference was astounding, which heavily influenced shooting. The Bucs would make the most of that by creating a 8-0 run, and then a 11-0 run almost back to back in the second half, bringing it to a tie game, 53-53 with 6:01 left in the second. Continued persistence brought The Bucs their first lead of the night, 57-56 at with a jumper from Jaylen Smith at 3:48 on the clock.
The Bucs continued to fight back and forth with The Paladins to keep up, and stay within distance to tie the game, or better take the win. What secured The Bucs in the final 28 seconds of was a steal made by Blake Barkley, and a pass to Jaylen Smith who sank a 3 with 15 seconds left. Once again tying up the game to 61, ultimately forcing OT.
Kicking it into Overdrive, in Overtime
The Bucs cruising off of the momentum they gained in the second half, by kicking off OT with a bang. Starting with a 7 point run unanswered by The Paladins, The Bucs continued to stay at least a score ahead for the remaining time. The Bucs came back when they needed to the most. That along with The Paladins running out of gas made a combination for success in favor of ETSU.
Standouts and Stats
Furman had a lot of success in this game, even if they were handed a loss. With four players in the double digits, a 52% on FG’s, and an astounding 37 rebounds. However, The Paladins had so definite places to improve that The Bucs zoned in on. The Paladins had 21 turnovers, 11 from Alex Wilkins alone, as well as only one steal and 3 blocks.
Meanwhile, for The Bucs, there were 4 players with double digits and then some. Standout players of note were Jordan McCullum and Jaylen Smith. McCullum shot 6-10 on FG’s, 2-2 on FT’s, with 3 rebounds, 3 steals, and 0 turnovers. Additionally, we have Jaylen Smith, who shot 4-6 on FG’s, 3 of 3 for 3’s (including the massive play to force OT), and 2-2 on FT’s with 3 rebounds, 2 steals and 1 assist.
In total, The Bucs showed up when it was needed, and have proven they can be the team they have to be, and rise to the occasion to win out. The Bucs are well on the way to keeping the #1 slot in the SoCon. Additionally, holding that spot through March, where all roads lead to Asheville.
Looking ahead, The Bucs travel to Cameron Hall in Lexington to face VMI. Tipoff is at 1pm on February 7th.
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