Furman Men's Basketball
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Furman men’s basketball showed off its rebounding strength and late-game resilience Sunday, earning an 85-78 exhibition victory over Georgia Southern at Timmons Arena in Greenville, South Carolina.
Sophomore Abijah Franklin led the Paladins with 20 points, while Furman collected 25 offensive rebounds and held a significant advantage on the glass. Although Georgia Southern mounted a late comeback attempt, Marcus Kell’s timely three-point shooting helped Furman secure the win.
The exhibition gave the Paladins an opportunity to test their execution under pressure as they continue preparing for the 2026-27 season.
Abijah Franklin Leads Furman’s Scoring Effort
Franklin paced all Paladin scorers with 20 points, getting to the free-throw line consistently to help offset a difficult shooting performance. He finished 6-of-20 from the field but converted seven of his nine free-throw attempts.
Cole Bowser delivered a strong contribution inside, finishing with 12 points and eight rebounds. Kell added 11 points, including two crucial three-pointers late in the contest that helped Furman withstand Georgia Southern’s rally.
The Paladins’ production came from more than one area of the floor. Furman shot 38.4% overall and made 17 of 23 free throws, using second-chance opportunities and trips to the line to keep its offense moving despite inconsistent field-goal shooting.
Offensive Rebounds Give the Paladins an Edge
One of Furman’s biggest advantages came on the boards. The Paladins grabbed 53 rebounds overall, compared with 38 for Georgia Southern, including an impressive 25 offensive rebounds.
Those extra possessions helped Furman generate scoring opportunities even when its initial shots did not fall. The Paladins also scored 22 points off 17 Georgia Southern turnovers, turning defensive pressure into offense.
Furman’s defense was especially effective during the first half, limiting the Eagles to 29% shooting from the field and just four made three-pointers on 14 attempts. The Paladins carried a 37-32 lead into halftime after establishing control through defensive stops and rebounding.
Second-Half Run Pushes Furman Ahead
Furman created separation after the break with a 27-11 scoring run that featured contributions from six different Paladins. The surge pushed the lead to 67-49 with fewer than nine minutes remaining, capped by consecutive dunks from Bowser and Franklin.
But Georgia Southern was not finished.
The Eagles responded with a 22-8 run over the following six minutes, cutting Furman’s advantage to 75-71 after Truman Claytor IV knocked down a three-pointer with 2:28 left on the clock.
Claytor finished with 25 points to lead Georgia Southern, while Dallas Gardner added 24. Despite their scoring output, the Eagles struggled to find consistency from the perimeter, making just seven of 27 three-point attempts. Georgia Southern shot 38.1% from the field overall.
With the game tightening, Kell delivered the answer Furman needed. His consecutive three-pointers helped stop the Eagles’ momentum and gave the Paladins enough breathing room to close out the seven-point victory.
What It Really Means
Furman’s exhibition win offered an early look at two potential strengths: its ability to create second-chance opportunities and its capacity to respond when an opponent makes a run.
The 25 offensive rebounds stand out because they gave the Paladins additional chances to score. That kind of effort can help a team survive stretches when its shooting is not at its best. Furman’s 22 points off turnovers also showed the value of converting defensive stops into offense.
However, the game also revealed areas to monitor. Furman shot 38.4% from the field, and Georgia Southern was able to cut an 18-point deficit to four in the closing minutes. Against tougher competition, maintaining composure and limiting opponents’ momentum swings will be important.
Kell’s late three-pointers were a timely response, while Franklin’s scoring and Bowser’s contributions on both ends gave Furman a strong foundation for the exhibition victory. The next step is building on those positives as the Paladins approach the regular season.
Source: Furman Athletics
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