January 22, 2002

FURMAN USES SECOND CHANCE BASKETS TO DOWN C OF C 70-61

GREENVILLE, South Carolina -- Furman's Lady Paladin basketball team outrebounded the College of Charleston 53-32 Tuesday night in taking a 70-61 Southern Conference victory at Timmons Arena.

The Lady Paladins claimed 25 offensive boards while holding the Cougars to nine offensive rebounds on the night. Two Lady Paladins ended the evening with double digit rebounds - Deshara Shealey had a career-high 13 and Orion Wake totaled 10. College of Charleston's top rebounder was Jennifer Harper, who totaled six.

Though College of Charleston took the lead at the 13:49 mark of the first period, Furman regained the advantage at the 9:44 mark and stretched the lead to as many as 16 before taking a 14-point, 34-20 lead into the halftime locker room. In the early minutes of the second period the Lady Paladin lead reached as many as 18 before the Cougars began chipping away. The closest C of C was able to get was eight points, with just 44 seconds left to play. In the final minute Furman connected on seven of eight free throws to put the game away. On the night, the Lady Paladins were 24-for-36 from the free throw line, with freshman Monica Pope connecting on nine-of-10 free shots.

Pope went on to lead the Furman offensive effort with 18 points, while Deshara Shealey added 13 and Kim Lawrence totaled 10. Shealey's double-double was the first of her career, while Wake's double digit rebounding effort was the eighth straight for the junior from Woodbridge, Va.

The Cougars were paced on the night by Patrice Bryant's 15 points, while Rachel King added nine.

With the win Furman improves to 11-7 overall and 6-3 in the Southern Conference, which ties the Lady Paladins with Chattanooga for second in the regular season standings. The Cougars fall to 10-7 overall and 4-5 in league play.