November 22, 2002
FURMAN RUNS PAST OGLETHORPE 100-59
IN
SUCCESSFUL DEBUT FOR HEAD COACH SAM DIXON
GREENVILLE -- Jen Nadalin scored 26 points and claimed 12 rebounds to pace five double figure scorers and lead the Furman Lady Paladins to a 100-59 win over Oglethorpe in the season opener for both schools Friday night at Timmons Arena.
The victory was the first of Furman head coach Sam Dixon's career after taking over the reins of the Lady Paladin program in December following three seasons as associate head coach at Clemson.
"I sat there this morning and said 'this is it, this is the time you've worked really hard for and planned on, so the first day is here.' While I'm exited, I'm more excited for our kids to come out and play well at home and get off to a good start," said Dixon.
Nadalin, a 6-2 sophomore from Guelph, Ontario, converted 13-of-18 field goal attempts to key the Lady Paladins, who shot 55.0 percent from the field, making good on 44-of-80 shots. She was joined in double figures by Kim Lawrence with 19 points, Deshara Shealey with 13 points and 12 points each by Katie Roach and Lauren Few.
Furman's pressing defense forced Oglethorpe into 38 turnovers, and the Lady Paladins dominated on the boards, piling up a 52-22 advantage, including 10 by Shealey.
Furman's 100-point performance was its highest ever in the program's five-plus seasons of play in Timmons Arena and most points against a home opponent since defeating South Carolina 101-84 at Greenville Memorial Auditorium during the 1994-95 season.
Nicole Gilleland, who paced Oglethorpe with 23 points on the strength of 7-of-13 shooting from 3-point range, gave the Lady Petrels a 22-17 lead with a 3-pointer at the 10:43 mark of the first half, but from that point it was all Furman as the Lady Paladins outscored Oglethrope 35-11 over the remainder of the first half to take commanding 52-33 halftime advantage.
Furman returns to action on Monday when it takes on the University of Pittsburgh in Pittsburgh on Monday. Tipoff is set for 7:00 p.m.