December 13, 2003
FURMAN'S SHEALEY SCORES 1,000TH POINT IN 83-60 VICTORY
GREENVILLE, South Carolina -- Furman senior Deshara Shealey became the 14th woman in Furman history to score 1,000 career points, with a 21-point showing in the Lady Paladins' 83-60 victory over Lander on Saturday.
Shealey entered the game needing 18 points to join the Furman 1,000 points club and poured in 14 in the first half to stake the Lady Paladins to a 37-14 advantage at the half. At the 14:07 mark of the second period Shealey took a pass from Tommi Paris and connected on a 15-foot jumper to reach 18 for the game and 1,000 in her career.
"It is a tremendous accomplishment to get 1,000 points in a career," said Furman coach Sam Dixon. "It means you have been consistent over a period of time and is not a fly by night opportunity. 1,000 points shows a steady dedication , being good every night out, and hard work, and Deshara has epitomized that for us ever since I have been here."
In addition to Shealey reaching a career milestone, the Lady Paladin team tied the school record for blocks in a game, with nine, inlcuding three each for Orion Wake and Jen Nadalin. Furman's 18 steals was also a season-best for the 2003-04 team, but was offset by a season-high 30 turnovers, which combined with Landeršs 30 for 60 in the game.
Despite sometimes sloppy play and a combined 51 fouls in the contest, Furmanšs Shealey was joined in double figures by Tommi Paris, who scored 13, and Kim Lawrence, who totaled 11. Jen Nadalin topped the Furman rebounding effort, with nine, leading the Lady Paladins to a 55-37 advantage on the boards.
Lander, meanwhile, was paced by Tracy Jacobs and Jennifer Beamon, who each totaled 13 points and Meredith Crabtree's 12.
With the victory Furman improves to 3-2 overall as the team prepares to host the ninth-ranked Lady Bulldogs of Georgia Wedesnday night at 7 p.m. The loss moves Lander to 6-2 on the year as they break for Christmas. The Bearcats return to action on Jan. 2 with a 2 p.m. game at Newberry.