January 24, 2004
NDOYE’S 28 POWERS FURMAN PAST WOFFORD, 91-55
GREENVILLE, S.C. -- Maleye Ndoye scored a game high 28 points to power Furman past Wofford 91-55 in Southern Conference basketball action Saturday in front of 2,564 fans at Timmons Arena.
Ndoye, a senior forward from Dakar, Senegal, converted 11-of-17 field goal attempts, including a pair a three-pointers, and cashed in on 4-of-5 free throws to propel Furman (10-7, 2-4) to its second consecutive win and largest conference margin of victory since an 80-38 triumph of Georgia Southern in Statesboro during the 1995-96 season. The 36-point verdict was Furman’s biggest triumph over the Terriers since a 121-60 decision during the 1977-78 campaign.
Wofford (6-11, 2-4 SoCon), which was paced by Tyler Berg’s 14 points, dropped its second straight contest. “I thought this was the best team effort both offensively and defensively we’ve had all year,” said Furman head coach Larry Davis, whose team improved to 7-2 at home this season despite the absence of its second leading scorer, freshman forward Quan Prowell, who was sidelined with a sprained knee sustained in practice Thursday. “Maleye really keyed us, particularly in the first half. He stepped up just like he did on Monday against The Citadel, and everybody else responded. That’s what you look for out of seniors.”
Aside from an early 6-6 deadlock, Furman dominated the contest from start to finish. The Paladins shot a sizzling 55.2 percent from the field (32x58) and 52.9 percent from three-point range (9x17). Nick Sanders matched his career high with 11 points and Tony Carter added 10 points, six assists, and four steals for Furman, which posted a 37-28 rebounding advantage and harried Wofford into 25 turnovers. The Paladins also racked up 24 assists and 16 steals.
Ndoye, coming off a game high 27-point performance in Monday’s 76-61 win at The Citadel, knocked down 9-of-12 field goal attempts to tally 20 of his 28 points in the first half to propel the Paladins to a 49-25 halftime advantage.
Three baskets by Sanders, including a three-pointer, spiced an 18-4 Furman run to start the second half to extend the Paladin lead to 67-29 following a dunk by Moussa Diagne with 14:33 to go.
The Furman advantage grew to as many as 40 points at 88-48 following a jump shot by reserve guard Ryan Carson with 1:57 left.
Every player in uniform saw action for the Furman, and all but one scored.
The Paladins return to action on Monday when they entertain Chattanooga in a 7:00 p.m. game at Timmons Arena. Wofford hits the road on Monday for a 7:00 p.m. contest against defending Southern Conference Tournament champion East Tennessee State in Johnson City.