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GREENVILLE, S.C. (Nov. 10, 2025) — A fired-up Furman squad looked every bit the contender the Southern Conference expects it to be Monday night, dominating Columbia International 89–59 at Timmons Arena. The Paladins used suffocating defense and balanced scoring to control every quarter, snapping an early skid and reminding fans how dangerous they can be when locked in.
From First Whistle to Finish Line
Furman wasted zero time making a statement. The Paladins raced out to a 17–0 run in the opening minutes — forcing turnovers, pushing tempo, and knocking down shots with confidence. The Rams, caught flat-footed, didn’t score until nearly five minutes into the contest.
Junior guard Alex Wilkins set the tone, draining a pair of threes during the opening burst and finishing with 19 points on 7-of-12 shooting. His energy carried through the team’s rotations as Furman built a 25-point halftime lead and never looked back.
“We wanted to come out swinging,” head coach Bob Richey said. “Our guys responded to the challenge — rebounding, defending, sharing the ball. That’s who we are when we’re connected.”
By the break, Furman’s defensive pressure had forced 18 turnovers, converting them into 22 transition points, while holding CIU to just 32 percent from the floor.
Defense, Depth & Dominance
The Paladins’ defensive execution fueled an offense that looked as cohesive as it has all season. Veteran wing Tom House added 15 points, 7 rebounds, and 3 steals, while freshman forward Cole Bowser continued to flash promise with 12 points and 6 boards in just 18 minutes.
Richey’s bench provided steady minutes as the lead ballooned past 30 midway through the second half. Furman’s ball movement — 20 assists on 33 made shots — showcased the unselfish style the program is known for.
“Our spacing and tempo were night-and-day compared to last week,” House said postgame. “Once the defense got stops, everything flowed.”
The Next Chapter Begins Now
With the win, Furman improves to 1-2, shaking off tough early contests and building confidence heading into a crucial stretch. Columbia International dropped to 0-3, still searching for rhythm against high-level competition.
The Paladins travel next to face Northern Iowa on Friday — a road test that will reveal how much of Monday’s momentum can carry forward. If Furman’s energy and focus look anything like they did in Timmons Arena, the Paladins could be in for a much different November narrative.
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