FURMAN HOLDS OFF COASTAL CAROLINA CHARGE

IN 60-57 VICTORY

GREENVILLE, South Carolina -- Senior Tara Charles connected on a pair of free throws with seven seconds remaining to hold off a late Coastal Carolina rally and seal a 60-57 victory for Furman in the Lady Paladins' home opener Sunday at Timmons.

Furman led the Lady Chants 30-23 at the half, but Coastal came on strong in the second period, storming back from a 10 point deficit with 7:49 to go, to tie the game at 55 on a three-pointer by Brooke Weisbrod with 2:14 remaining. Furman's Torrie Scott answered with a driving layup at 1:52, but missed a pair of free throws with a three point lead and 23 seconds left in the game. Whitney Shearer connected on a basket with 12 seconds on the clock to slash Furman's lead to one, but the Chants were forced to foul when the Lady Paladins inbounded the ball, and Charles calmly made both free throws to give Furman its fifth win of the season (5-3).

The Lady Paladins were led on the day by senior Kena Hodges' 15 points, while Orion Wake and Torrie Scott each added 10. Furman outrebounded Coastal 44-35, and were led on the boards by Mary Brock's six rebound total. Tara Charles was the leading playmaker with four assists, while Leitra Young topped the team with two blocks.

Brooke Weisbrod paced Coastal Carolina with 22 points on seven-of-13 shooting from the field and a perfect five-for-five day at the line. She also topped the Chants rebounding effort with seven and added three assists and a steal to her totals.

With the win, Furman improves to 5-3 on the year while Coastal falls to 4-4. The Lady Paladins will face Murray State on Wed., Dec. 20, at the Navy Classic. Furman's next home game is slated for Wed., Jan. 3, at 7:30 p.m. against UNC Greensboro.