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Catamounts Unleash Second-Half Surge to Down Furman, 86–67
For a half, it was tense and calculated — the kind of late-season conference game that feels like it might come down to a single possession. For the final 20 minutes, it turned into something entirely different. The Furman Paladins traded control and composure early, but the Western Carolina Catamounts found another gear after the break. Behind a scorching performance from Tahlan Pettway and a punishing edge on the glass, Western Carolina surged to an 86–67 win that was built on execution and sealed with momentum.
A Balanced Battle Before the Break
The opening half carried the feel of a tactical contest. Furman worked patiently through its sets, trying to control tempo and limit transition opportunities. Cooper Bowser anchored that effort, finishing inside and protecting the rim on the other end. His ability to score through contact and alter shots defensively helped steady the Paladins in the early stretches.
Western Carolina countered with balance. Cord Stansberry stayed aggressive off the dribble, attacking closeouts and hunting scoring chances even when contested. Tidjiane Dioumassi added timely buckets to prevent Furman from building separation, and the Catamounts’ activity on the boards quietly began to tilt possessions in their favor. The first half remained competitive, but Western Carolina’s physicality hinted that a shift could be coming.
Pettway Takes Over
That shift arrived midway through the second half, and it came from Tahlan Pettway.
Pettway poured in 23 points on an efficient 8-of-12 shooting night, including 4-of-7 from three-point range, and his shot-making ignited the decisive run. A transition three stretched the margin. A confident pull-up jumper followed. When Furman attempted to slow the pace, Pettway attacked again — finishing through contact and converting at the free-throw line. His scoring burst didn’t just add points; it changed the game’s rhythm.
Within a span of several possessions, what had been a manageable deficit for Furman became a double-digit climb. Western Carolina tightened defensively at the same time, turning live-ball turnovers into quick scoring opportunities before the Paladins could set their defense. The building responded, and the momentum snowballed.
Dominance on the Glass
While Pettway delivered the highlight moments, Western Carolina’s control of the paint provided the foundation. Samuel Dada posted a double-double with 12 points and 10 rebounds, repeatedly extending possessions with offensive boards and finishing around the rim. Those second-chance points were backbreakers, draining Furman’s defensive energy and preventing any sustained comeback push.
Furman found production, but it came in bursts. Bowser finished with 17 points and three blocks, battling inside on both ends. Eddrin Bronson provided a spark off the bench with 16 points, knocking down key shots to briefly halt Western Carolina’s run. Alex Wilkins added 14 points, attacking downhill and finding space in the midrange. Still, once the Catamounts seized control of tempo and rebounding, the Paladins struggled to string together the stops needed to shift momentum back.
The Run That Defined the Night
The turning point was not a single highlight but a sequence. A Furman turnover led to a fast-break finish. On the next possession, Pettway connected from beyond the arc. After a defensive stop and an offensive rebound by Dada, Western Carolina converted again. In the span of just a few minutes, the margin widened and the tone of the game changed completely.
For a half, Furman looked composed and capable of grinding out a road result. In the second, Western Carolina dictated pace, punished mistakes, and capitalized on extra possessions. The final score reflects that surge — a reminder that in conference play, momentum is fragile, and when a team catches fire at home, it can be impossible to extinguish.
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