FEBRUARY 29,2004
FURMAN SECURES NO. 2 SEED WITH 74-44 VICTORY OVER ELON
GREENVILLE, South Carolina -- Furman’s Lady Paladin basketball team snapped a two-game losing streak Sunday at Timmons Arena with a 74-44 victory over the Elon Phoenix. The senior day win gives Furman a 17-10 overall record, 14-6 mark in the Southern Conference, and the No. 2 seed entering the league tournament, which starts Wednesday, March 3, in Charleston, S.C.
Junior forward Jen Nadalin recorded her third double double of the season, scoring 17 points and claiming 10 rebounds to lead the Lady Paladins in both categories. Lauren Few added 13 points and Tommi Paris scored 10 while the senior class of Kim Lawrence, Orion Wake,and Deshara Shealey combined for 20 points, 10 rebounds, and four assists.
The Lady Paladins jumped out to an early lead in the game and though Elon tied it on a Brianne Gray layup with 15 minutes to go in the first period, the Phoenix never led and Furman held a 29-17 advantage at the half. Furman ‘s pressure defense parlayed 12 first half Elon turnovers in 15 points and held the Phoenix to 22.2% shooting from the field and a one-for-10 showing from three-point range.
Elon made 12 of 30 second half goals for a 40.0% mark from the field, but the Lady Paladins forced an additional 15 Phoenix turnovers and allowed just two three-pointers in stretching the advantage to its final 30-point margin. The Lady Paladins connected on 50% of their second half shotsand outscored Elon 29-2 off turnovers for the difference in the game.
Brianne Gray topped the Phoenix effort with 11 points and 12 rebounds - her third double double of the year. No other Elon players were in double figures and 6-5 center Courtney Nyborg scored six points with just two rebounds.
“I think we defended everything better today,” said coach Sam Dixon after the win. “We were moving much crisper and with a purpose and I thought we had high hands throughout the game, which not only helped contest the three but helped prevent the lob to Nyborg, who is a talented player. I also thought our press was very, very effective and wore them down as we kept the pressure on them.”
As the No. 2 seed Furman will face the winner of Wednesday’s UNC Greensboro (#7) - College of Charleston (#10) game Thursday at 5 p.m. at McAlister Fieldhouse on the campus of The Citadel.