FURMAN FALLS TO UNC GREENSBORO 62-52 IN SOUTHERN CONFERENCE ACTION

GREENVILLE, South Carolina -- The Spartans of Greensboro took advantage of a first-half slump by Furman's Lady Paladins to build a 16-point lead, which led to UNCG's 62-52 win in Southern Conference action Wednesday night at Timmons Arena.

The Spartans shot 43.5% in the first period and held Furman to 20.0% in taking the early lead. A balanced scoring attack resulted in eight Spartans scoring in the first half, while only four Lady Paladins were on the board. In addition, UNCG outrebounded Furman 24-15 for the period and went three-for-six from three point range.

After the halftime break, the Lady Paladins immediately went on a scoring run, cutting the UNCG advantage to eight points in the first six minutes. The Spartans continued to hold off Furman's advances, but six second-half three-pointers helped the Lady Paladins cut the lead to two with 9:28 left on the clock. Despite Furman's effort, the Spartans combined aggressive rebounding with a pair of steals by point guard ChoRhonda Gwaltney to pull ahead by 13 with 4:14 to go and hold on for the 10-point victory.

Furman's Lady Paladins were led on the night by junior Althea Bufford, who scored a career-high 25 points on 10-for-15 shooting from the field and a four-for-six night from the line. Senior guard Tara Charles was the only other Lady Paladin in double figures - she had 11, including three field goals from three-point range.

The Spartans were topped by senior Gwaltney's 14 points, while Jessica Williams added 11, and Nicole Murray tallied 10. In the end, UNCG outrebounded Furman 42-37. It was the second consecutive game in which Furman was outrebounded, after winning the boards war in nine of their first 10 games.

With the win, UNCG improved to 8-3 overall and 3-0 in the Southern Conference, while Furman fell to 7-5 and 1-2. The Lady Paladins will face the Mountaineers of Appalachian State on Saturday, Jan. 6, at 2 p.m. in Boone, N.C.