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GREENVILLE, S.C. (Nov. 7) — The Furman Paladins showed plenty of fight in their home opener Friday night, but an uneven start and costly late turnovers proved the difference in a 64-61 loss to the Troy Trojans at Timmons Arena. Furman never held a lead in the contest, though a furious second-half rally brought the crowd to its feet before Troy’s poise down the stretch sealed the outcome.
Trojans Take Early Command
From the opening tip, Troy dictated tempo and set the tone defensively. The Trojans attacked early and often, forcing the Paladins into several early turnovers and converting them into transition points. Guard Cooper Campbell led the charge with 21 points on 8-for-13 shooting, showing control and confidence with the ball in his hands.
Behind Campbell’s steady play, Troy built a 36-23 halftime lead. The Trojans’ spacing and ball movement kept Furman’s defense rotating, while their physicality inside limited second-chance opportunities. Furman, meanwhile, struggled to find rhythm offensively, shooting under 40 percent in the opening period and failing to convert open looks that might have halted Troy’s momentum.
Even with a 36-33 rebounding advantage overall, the Paladins’ early miscues prevented them from gaining traction. The halftime deficit set the tone — a reminder that good effort only matters if it’s paired with clean execution.
Paladins Battle Back Behind Wilkins and Thomas
The second half saw a different Furman team emerge. Guard Alex Wilkins sparked the comeback, finishing with 16 points and attacking Troy’s interior defense with confidence. His energy helped swing momentum as Furman began to chip away at the deficit.
Wing Asa Thomas joined in, finding his stroke from the perimeter. Midway through the half, Furman ignited an 11-2 run, fueled by defensive stops and hustle plays that shifted momentum back to the home side. When Thomas buried a corner three to cut the lead to 61-60 with just over a minute to play, Timmons Arena erupted.
But the comeback fell just short. With 28 seconds remaining, Campbell delivered once again, draining a mid-range jumper that pushed the Trojans ahead 62-61. Furman had one last chance to take the lead, but a turnover on the ensuing possession ended the threat. Troy added two free throws in the final seconds to secure the win.
Turnovers and Missed Chances Prove Costly
Statistically, Furman matched Troy in most areas — field goal percentage (41 to 39), rebounds (36 to 33), and bench production — but turnovers told the story. The Paladins committed 17, compared to Troy’s 14, and several came at critical moments when momentum hung in the balance.
Despite their hustle and rebounding edge, Furman’s inability to capitalize on extra possessions ultimately kept them from overtaking the Trojans. Troy, meanwhile, executed with composure, converting key free throws and maintaining control of the clock in the closing minutes.
Richey’s Message: Turn the Page, Build Consistency
After the game, head coach Bob Richey pointed to execution and consistency as areas of focus moving forward. Furman’s second-half surge highlighted the team’s resilience and depth, but the early lapses underscored the need for sharper starts.
At 0-2, the Paladins remain confident that their effort will soon translate to wins. The pieces are there — energy, rebounding, and guard play — but the challenge now is sustaining that intensity across all 40 minutes.
For Troy (2-0), the win validated its toughness and late-game discipline. The Trojans left Greenville with a statement road victory and proof they can withstand pressure against a quality opponent.
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