January 29, 2000

Release: Upon Receipt

FURMAN AVENGES EARLIER LOSS AND RETAINS SOLE POSSESSION ON SECOND;

LADY PALADINS DOWN ETSU 90-73 AT TIMMONS

GREENVILLE, South Carolina -- Furman's Lady Paladin basketball team took over sole possession of second place in the Southern Conference race with a 90-73 victory over the East Tennessee State Bucs Saturday night in Timmons Arena.

After losing a 74-64 decision to ETSU in Johnson City on Dec. 4, the Lady Paladins set the tone early Saturday night, jumping out to a 12-0 lead in the first three minutes of the game. The Bucs scored their first point, a free throw by Chris Forman, at the 16:27 mark, but were never able to cut the Lady Paladin lead to fewer than six points. Furman held a 48-28 advantage at the half, and outrebounded the Bucs 26-9 in the period.

In the second half, the Buccaneer press contributed to 14 Furman turnovers, but again ETSU was unable to close the gap, and Furman stayed ahead by at least 10 points for the remainder of the game.

Senior Shawn Thompson led the ETSU effort with 22 points, while junior guard Chris Forman added 15, and Erica Babb totaled 10. The Lady Paladins had five players in double digits and were topped by Jackie Smith's 19 point, 16 rebound effort. Kena Hodges added 18 points, Orion Wake totaled 17, Tara Charles added 12, and Torrie Scott tallied 11. The Lady Paladins shot 51.7% from the field and outrebounded the Bucs 56-26.

"Our goal tonight was to hold ETSU to 30 rebounds, because they average 40," said head Coach Sherry Carter after the Paladin victory. "We also changed our offense, starting three post players, which gave us a greater rebounding advantage. Our guards are also taller, so we had a tremendous height advantage at every position."

With the victory, the Lady Paladins improve to 11-8 on the year and 7-3 in the Southern Conference. ETSU falls to 8-9 overall and 6-4 in league play.

For More Information Contact: Teri Brinkman

(864) 294-3065