Skip to content
February 8, 2026
  • About Us: GSM
  • Partnered Podcasts
  • Partnered Sites
    • StraightupSports
  • ESPN Radio
cropped-Untitled-design-8png

Greenville Sports Media

Covering Sports Everywhere

dorseyauto.com
Primary Menu
  • About Us: GSM
  • Partnered Podcasts
  • Partnered Sites
    • StraightupSports
  • ESPN Radio
Live
  • Home
  • 2026
  • February
  • 7
  • Paladins Bite Back, Fall Just Short to ETSU, 58-55
  • ETSU Sports
  • Furman Women's Basketball
  • Greenville Sports
  • Southern Conference

Paladins Bite Back, Fall Just Short to ETSU, 58-55

Mark Livingston Published: February 7, 2026 | Updated: February 7, 2026 3 minutes read
30 views
furman
1 0
Read Time:2 Minute, 51 Second

GREENVILLE, S.C. (AP) — Furman fought until the very last second Saturday, but East Tennessee State made the plays that mattered most, escaping with a 58-55 win in a Southern Conference women’s basketball thriller at Timmons Arena. The Paladins dropped to 14-10 overall and 6-3 in league play, while ETSU improved to 12-11 and 5-3, grinding out a victory in a game defined by scrappy defense, contested shots, and tension so thick it felt like every possession could decide the outcome.

From the opening tip, the game felt like a war for every point. ETSU jumped out to an early 11-6 lead behind smothering defense that forced Furman into rushed shots and long possessions. The Paladins looked rattled early, but slowly found their footing, leaning on sophomore forward Clare Coyle, who prowled the paint with relentless energy. By the second quarter, Furman’s defense tightened, their ball movement improved, and the Paladins managed a 17-10 run that flipped the script and gave them a 23-21 halftime lead. The crowd was on its feet as Furman clawed back into the contest, proving they wouldn’t be intimidated.

Clare Coyle can run the point, too! Dishes to Brooklyn King for the layup. pic.twitter.com/w1SSI9Z4PC

— Furman Women's Basketball (@FurmanWBB) February 7, 2026

Third Quarter: A Relentless Back-and-Forth

The third quarter was a brutal tug-of-war. Every basket was contested, every rebound a fight. Furman and ETSU traded blows, scoring 16 points each in the period, with neither able to build a real cushion. The game slowed to a deliberate pace, possessions stretched out, and the intensity ratcheted up. Furman struggled to find open perimeter looks, while ETSU remained composed, executing in the half-court and keeping the Paladins just shy of breaking clear.


Fourth Quarter: Late-Game Tension Decides Outcome

Then came the fourth quarter — tense, physical, and unforgiving. ETSU orchestrated a decisive stretch, stringing together stops and converting them into points to edge ahead. Furman answered, battling on every rebound, diving for loose balls, and forcing contested shots. But as the clock ticked down, each missed opportunity weighed heavier. Furman had a chance to tie or take the lead, but ETSU’s discipline and execution in the final minutes held firm, leaving the Paladins just short in a game that could have swung either way.


Alyssa Ervin connects on the rainbow jumper! pic.twitter.com/3X9XMhO1pv

— Furman Women's Basketball (@FurmanWBB) February 7, 2026

Clare Coyle Anchors Furman Effort

Clare Coyle led the way for Furman, her presence inside keeping the team competitive and her effort palpable on every possession. Furman’s scoring was balanced, with contributions across the lineup, but the team couldn’t generate the late-game punch needed to flip the result. ETSU’s guards pressured the ball, controlled the pace, and capitalized on Furman’s mistakes — turning a nail-biter into a narrow but decisive road win. Every rebound, loose ball, and contested shot reflected the margin between a Paladins comeback and defeat.


Looking Ahead: Lessons from a Close Loss

The loss is a bitter pill for Furman, who will need to sharpen execution in close games as the SoCon race tightens. Each possession in league play is magnified, and this contest served as a reminder that games like Saturday’s are won or lost in small, high-pressure moments. Furman will regroup, refocus, and look to turn future close contests into wins if they want to remain a contender in the league.

Furman head coach Pierre Curtis offers his thoughts following the Paladins' 58-55 loss to ETSU on Saturday at Timmons Arena. pic.twitter.com/4JjEcQBoD7

— Furman Women's Basketball (@FurmanWBB) February 7, 2026

Share

Facebook
Twitter
Pinterest
LinkedIn

About Post Author

Mark Livingston

MJLivingston39@gmail.com
http://greenvillesportsmedia.com
Happy
Happy
0 0 %
Sad
Sad
1 100 %
Excited
Excited
0 0 %
Sleepy
Sleepy
0 0 %
Angry
Angry
0 0 %
Surprise
Surprise
0 0 %

About the Author

Mark Livingston

Editor

Support Author Visit Website View All Posts
author avatar
Mark Livingston
See Full Bio

What do you feel about this?

  • ETSU Sports
  • Furman Women's Basketball
  • Greenville Sports
  • Southern Conference

Post navigation

Previous: Anderson Men’s Basketball Battle Carson-Newman
Next: Deacs Comeback Falls Short

Author's Other Posts

Inside the Chaos: Chapel Fowler’s Front-Row View of Clemson and College Sports clemsonlogo

Inside the Chaos: Chapel Fowler’s Front-Row View of Clemson and College Sports

February 6, 2026 0 157
SLOW START COSTS FURMAN IN HOME LOSS TO CHATTANOOGA furman

SLOW START COSTS FURMAN IN HOME LOSS TO CHATTANOOGA

February 6, 2026 0 144
Paladins Rally Early, Battle Hard in 75‑71 OT Loss at ETSU furman

Paladins Rally Early, Battle Hard in 75‑71 OT Loss at ETSU

February 5, 2026 0 116
Maddie Hudak: Covering Tulane’s Rise From the Sidelines cfp

Maddie Hudak: Covering Tulane’s Rise From the Sidelines

February 5, 2026 0 157

Related Stories

furman
3 minutes read
  • Basketball
  • Chattanooga Sports
  • Furman Basketball
  • Furman Sports
  • Furman Women's Basketball
  • Southern Conference

SLOW START COSTS FURMAN IN HOME LOSS TO CHATTANOOGA

Mark Livingston February 6, 2026 0 144
furman
4 minutes read
  • ETSU Sports
  • Furman Basketball
  • Greenville Sports
  • Southern Conference

Paladins Rally Early, Battle Hard in 75‑71 OT Loss at ETSU

Mark Livingston February 5, 2026 0 116
furman
5 minutes read
  • Furman Basketball
  • Greenville Sports
  • GSM
  • Southern Conference

With Eight Games Left, Furman Is Squarely in the Hunt — and Running Out of Margin

Mark Livingston February 2, 2026 0 118
Terriers Tamed: Bucs Roll to 86-72 Victory
3 minutes read
  • Basketball
  • ETSU
  • ETSU Sports
  • SOCON
  • Wofford
  • Wofford Sports

Terriers Tamed: Bucs Roll to 86-72 Victory

Abigail Moore February 2, 2026 0 113
wofford1
4 minutes read
  • ETSU
  • ETSU Sports
  • Southern Conference
  • Wofford
  • Wofford Sports

ETSU pulls away late as resilient Wofford battles without Holmes, Flynn, 86–72

Mark Livingston February 2, 2026 0 138
furman
4 minutes read
  • Alex Wilkins
  • Chattanooga
  • Furman Basketball
  • Southern Conference

Alex Wilkins erupts for 33 as Furman outlasts Chattanooga 75–70

Mark Livingston February 2, 2026 0 179

Trending Now

Deacs Comeback Falls Short 1000017231 1

Deacs Comeback Falls Short

February 8, 2026 0 34
Paladins Bite Back, Fall Just Short to ETSU, 58-55 furman 2

Paladins Bite Back, Fall Just Short to ETSU, 58-55

February 7, 2026 0 30
Anderson Men’s Basketball Battle Carson-Newman autrojansmbb2 3

Anderson Men’s Basketball Battle Carson-Newman

February 7, 2026 0 46
AU Trojans Men’s Lacrosse Outlast North Greenville aumlacrosse 4

AU Trojans Men’s Lacrosse Outlast North Greenville

February 7, 2026 0 51

Archives

  • February 2026
  • January 2026
  • December 2025
  • November 2025
  • October 2025
  • September 2025
  • August 2025
  • July 2025
  • June 2025
  • May 2025
  • April 2025
  • March 2025
  • February 2025
  • January 2025
  • December 2024
  • November 2024
  • October 2024
  • September 2024
  • August 2024
  • July 2024
  • June 2024
  • May 2024
  • April 2024
  • March 2024
  • February 2024
  • Facebook
  • X
  • Instagram
  • TikTok
Clemson Family Wish

You may have missed

1000017231
3 minutes read
  • ACC
  • Louisville Sports
  • Wake Forest Basketball

Deacs Comeback Falls Short

Stephen Moore February 8, 2026 0 34
furman
3 minutes read
  • ETSU Sports
  • Furman Women's Basketball
  • Greenville Sports
  • Southern Conference

Paladins Bite Back, Fall Just Short to ETSU, 58-55

Mark Livingston February 7, 2026 0 30
autrojansmbb2
3 minutes read
  • Anderson University Sports
  • Basketball
  • Carson Newman Sports
  • College Basketball
  • GSM
  • NCAA
  • SAC

Anderson Men’s Basketball Battle Carson-Newman

Jay Jacobs February 7, 2026 0 46
aumlacrosse
2 minutes read
  • Anderson University Sports
  • Breaking News
  • College Lacrosse
  • GSM
  • Lacrosse
  • NCAA
  • North Greenville Sports
  • SAC

AU Trojans Men’s Lacrosse Outlast North Greenville

Jay Jacobs February 7, 2026 0 51

Our Sponsors

Code:FurmanJoust
Furman Joust
#image_title
Code: FurmanJoust
#image_title
Code: GSM
Code: FurmanJoust
Code
@sotgsports
@enw1992
#image_title

Want to To Join Our Discord

@accdigitalnetwork
@maxpreps
@rockybalboa1313
@foxsports
  • About Us: GSM
  • Partnered Podcasts
  • Partnered Sites
    • StraightupSports
  • ESPN Radio
Copyright © 2026 All rights reserved. | MoreNews by AF themes.