December 6, 2003
FURMAN DOWNS NORTHERN IOWA 64-55
CEDAR FALLS, IA. - Furman's Robby Bostain scored a career-high 18 points, including three free throws in the final 2:15, to lift the Paladins to a 64-55 win over Northern Iowa in men's basketball action Saturday afternoon at West Gymnasium in Cedar Falls, Iowa.
The Paladins led throughout the first half, building a 30-20 lead on a Bostain jumper at the 3:29 mark. Northern Iowa reeled off nine unanswered points to trim Furman's halftime advantage to 30-29.
The Panthers grabbed their only lead off the afternoon on a Jon Godfread baseline jumper with 13:52 remaining. Furman's defense limited Northern Iowa to only one basket over the next 5:28 while building a 44-40 lead. Three Quan Prowell baskets and a Nick Sanders jumper at 4:25 upped Furman's advantage to seven, forcing UNI to foul over the final four minutes.
Eric Webb, who scored nine of his 11 points in the second half, matched Bostain with three free throws down the stretch to extend the final margin to 64-55.
"I was proud of these guys today," said Furman head coach Larry Davis. "We could have gotten frustrated with all of the travel problems we've had on this trip, but instead, we came out and played well in a tough place."
Bostain and Webb were joined in double figures by Prowell with 13 and Sanders with 10 points. Sanders, a junior from Leavenworth, KS., grabbed a game-high and career best 11 rebounds while totalling three steals and three assists.
Guard Ben Jacobson paced Northern Iowa with 13 points, while forward Matt Schneiderman chipped in 10 points and 11 rebounds.
Furman limited Northern Iowa to 18-61 from the field (29.5%), including 4-31 beyond the three point arc. The Paladins shot 42.1% (24-57) from the field and made 13-26 shots in the second half, while turning the ball over a season low eight times for the game.
The win improved Furman to 3-3 on the season, while Nothern Iowa dropped to 3-3.
Furman breaks for final exams this week before returning to action at UNC Asheville on December 14.