February 17, 2003

LADY PALADINS TOP GEORGIA SOUTHERN 80-59

STATESBORO, Ga.-- Jen Nadalin scored 18 points and Laney Harris tossed in a career-high 14 to lead Furman past a cold-shooting Georgia Southern 80-59 on Monday night at Hanner Fieldhouse.

Furman (13-11, 9-6 Southern Conference) led by as much as eight in the early minutes of the first half, taking a 14-6 advantage just four minutes in. The Eagles answered with a 16-6 spurt covering the next 11 minutes of action and gained their only lead of the game, a 22-20 margin on Kristy McCorkleís steal and layup with 6:59 showing in the half. The Paladins then outscored Georgia Southern (16-8, 10-5 Southern Conference) 20-6 to complete the period. Furman saw its lead grow to 16 on Nadalinís jumper with 3:07 to go, and took a 40-28 lead into intermission.

Furman ran its advantage to 16 again with 11 minutes to play in the contest, grabbing a 56-40 lead on Lauren Fewís basket. The Eagles went on an 11-2 spurt and closed the gap the deficit to 58-51 with 5:13 left on Shawnica Hillís layup, but Furman closed the game by outscoring GSU 22-9.

Hill paced the Eagles with 12 points and nine rebounds, while Tiffany Lanier finished with 11 and Dana Benemon added 10. Georgia Southern shot a season-low 23.8 percent and was just 15-63 from the floor.

Deshara Shealey scored 11 points and corralled eight rebounds for the Paladins, while Katie Roach posted 10 points.

Georgia Southern returns to action on Saturday at Wofford. Furman is back on the court on Monday, hosting College of Charleston at Timmons Arena.