December 27, 2001

FURMAN TO HOST MACALESTER FRIDAY
IN FIRST ROUND OF POINSETTIA CLASSIC

GREENVILLE -- When Furman entertains Macalester Friday at 6:30 p.m. in the opening game of the Greenville Children's Hospital Poinsettia Classic at Timmons Arena, it will mark the rebirth of a tournament that was last played in 1979 at the now razed Greenville Memorial Auditorium.

The Poinsettia Classic, which got its start its start in 1959 and ran through 1979, returns this year with Furman, Macalester, Yale, and Gardner-Webb making up the tournament field. Yale and Gardner-Webb play the Friday night's other first round game beginning at 9:00 p.m.

First round losers will meet at 5:30 p.m. on Saturday prior to the championship game, which will be televised live by Comcast Sports Southeast beginning at 8:00 p.m.

Furman brings a 6-3 record into its first round game against Macalaester.

Tickets to this year's Poinsettia Classic are $15 per session and can be purchased at the Timmons Arena Ticket Office.