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There are rivalry wins, and then there are rivalry wins where you weather the storm and finish like the better team.
On Saturday night inside Richardson Indoor Stadium, Furman did exactly that.
The Paladins pulled away late to secure a 76-67 victory over Wofford, improving to 18-11 overall and 9-7 in conference play. It wasn’t a wire-to-wire domination. It was steadiness. Shot-making. And, when it mattered most, defensive control.
Alex Wilkins Sets the Tone
Alex Wilkins delivered a composed, efficient performance that anchored Furman’s offense from start to finish.
Wilkins finished with 15 points on 4-of-10 shooting, knocking down 4-of-4 from the free throw line and drilling a timely three. More importantly, he controlled the pace — adding five assists and five rebounds in 30 minutes of work.
He didn’t force shots. He didn’t chase numbers. He simply made the right play.
In rivalry games, that matters.
Asa Thomas’ Impact Beyond the Box Score
Asa Thomas earned MVP honors, and it wasn’t hard to see why.
Thomas poured in 14 points, grabbed 8 rebounds, and shot 6-of-7 from the free throw line. But the most telling stat may have been his + impact in the paint and on the glass. Furman outrebounded Wofford 29-21, and that edge created extra possessions in a game that was tied late into the second half.
When the score sat at 48-44 midway through the second half, the win probability hovered near 33%. From that moment on, Furman executed — particularly on second-chance opportunities and in half-court defense.
Depth Shows Up
Furman’s depth quietly tilted the game.
Ben VanderWal (16 points) and Cooper Bowser (8 points in 16 minutes) provided interior balance, while J.P. Pegues chipped in 13 points and 7 assists. The Paladins assisted on 14 of their 18 made field goals — a strong indicator of offensive flow.
Even when Wofford made runs, Furman didn’t panic. They didn’t settle. They moved the ball and found clean looks.
Defensive Clampdown Late
The Terriers scored just 11 points in the fourth quarter.
After trading baskets through much of the second half, Furman’s defense tightened in the final stretch. Wofford shot just 7-of-26 from three overall and struggled to generate clean perimeter looks late.
Furman forced 12 turnovers and converted them into transition opportunities that pushed the lead beyond reach in the final two minutes.
The largest lead of the game reached 76-67 — but the separation felt wider than the margin.
What It Means
For Furman, this win reinforces identity.
They’re not the most explosive team in the league, but they are disciplined, connected, and capable of finishing games. In a conference race where seeding margins are razor thin, closing out rivalry games at home matters.
The Paladins didn’t dominate from tip to buzzer.
They simply out-executed when it mattered.
And in February, that’s what winning basketball looks like.
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