December 2, 2001

FURMAN WOMEN'S BASKETBALL EARNS FIRST-EVER VICTORY

OVER INTRASTATE RIVAL CLEMSON

GREENVILLE, South Carolina -- Furman's womens basketball team used a focused game plan and tenacious defense to earn a 59-57 victory over the Clemson Lady Tigers Sunday afternoon in Timmons Arena. The win was the Lady Paladins' first over instrastate rival Clemson.

Down 28-23 at the half, the Lady Paladins tied the game at 36, 49 and again at 51 before taking the lead, 53-51, at the 3:10 mark on a Kim Lawrence jump shot. Furman stretched its lead to six on a Deshara Shealey free throw with 13 seconds left to play, but Chrissy Floyd sank a quick layup to pull to within four. With time running out Floyd fouled Furman guard Althea Bufford, who sank one of two free throws to stretch the Lady Paladin lead to five. Floyd answered on the next Tiger possession with a three pointer off a Kanetra Queen pass, but time was on Furman's side and the Lady Paladins claimed the two-point win.

"It's hard to focus young talent, so for this game we tried to get the team focused, eliminated all questions, and provide them with a game plan," said coach Sherry Carter. " I thought we executed well on offense and played great defense. Althea Bufford did a tremendous job guarding their point, which was important. We also ran the ball and penetrated well, which was all part of our plan. We are excited about this victory."

The biggest win of the season came just three days after Furman lost its first-ever game to High Point. "Against High Point, we just didn't follow our game plan," Carter added. "We did a better job of that today."

Furman was led in the game by guard Deshara Shealey, who scored 15, and forward Kim Lawrence, who totaled 14. Orion Wake claimed 12 rebounds which was key in Furman winning the rebounding contest over the Tigers 45-40. In addition, Shealey claimed nine boards and Lawrence garnered eight.

The Tigers were paced by Chrissy Floyd's 23 points, while Leah Roper took rebounding honors, with eight.

With the victory Furman improves to 3-3 on the year and snaps a two-game losing streak, while Clemson falls to 3-2. The Lady Paladins will open the Southern Conference season Thursday night with a 7 p.m. home game against Western Carolina, while the Tigers play at Maryland Wednesday at 7:30 p.m.