MARCH 7, 2003

FURMAN WOMEN FALL 65-53 IN SOCON TOURNEY SEMIFINALS

CHARLESTON, South Carolina -- For the third time this season Furman met the top seeded Mocs of Chattanooga on the basketball court and for the third time UTC walked away victorious as the Lady Paladins dropped a 65-53 decision in the Southern Conference Basketball Tournament semifinals Friday at the North Charleston Coliseum.

Furman answered Chattanooga blow for blow during most of the first period and led by one, 23-22, as late at the 5:58 mark. In the final five minutes, however, the Mocs outscored the Lady Paladins 12-6 to take a 34-29 lead into the break. Miranda Warfield connected on four first-period three pointers to lead the UTC effort, while Tiffani Roberson added seven. Furman’s first half offense was dominated by center Jen Nadalin, who had 13 points on six-for-seven shooting from the field.

A pair of quick fouls on Nadalin in the second period hampered Furman’s inside game and rebounding ability, as the 6-2 sophomore from Guelph, Ontario, spent much of the period on the bench. Though Furman held UTC to 27.6% (8-for-29) shooting from the field in the second period and 33.9% (21-for-62) for the game, the Mocs ended the contest with six more field goal attempts, 20 more three-point tries and 14 more free throw attempts by virtue of Furman’s 19 turnovers.

Southern Conference player of the year Deshara Shealey paced the Paladins on the day with 19 points, while Nadalin added 16 and freshman Tommi Paris contributed 10. Shealey and sophomore Kim Lawrence took rebounding honors, with nine each, while Lawrence added three steals, one block and one assist to her day’s work.

“I am extremely proud of the effort put forth by this team,” said coach Sam Dixon. “You have to give Chattanooga credit. They just wore us down, grinded every posession, and made us work for everything defensively. What really hurt us was their physical play and ability to keep bringing bodies in.”

With the loss Furman ends the season with a 16-13 overall record. The Lady Paladins will return all nine letterwinners for next season.