November 14, 1998

FURMANıS LADY PALADINS WIN 105-72 IN EXHBITION

GREENVILLE, SC -- After shooting just 33.3% in the first half Saturday against the Low Country All Stars, Furmanıs Lady Paladin basketball team connected on 55.6% of its second half shots to claim a 105-72 win in the last exhibition game of the preseason.

Furman took a 45-37 lead into the halftime locker room, but from a percentage standpoint had been outshot by the All Stars in all three categories: field goals, three pointers, and free throws. In addition, offensive-minded guards Amy King and Heidi White had struggled to just 10 points between the two of them. In the second period, however, Furman raised the level of its game and King, who was one-for-nine from the field in the first half, went five-for-six in the second, while White recorded 10 second half points.

Reigning Southern Conference Plaayer of the Year Jackie Smith and sophomore guard/forward King led the Lady Paladins with 19 points on the day. Smith matched her points output with 19 rebounds as well, 10 of which were offensive. In addition White went six-for-six from the free throw line while tallying 16 points, Kena Hodges added 11, and freshman Elizabeth Fleming totaled 10. White also dished off a team-high seven of the Lady Paladinsı 28 assists against just two turnovers.

Maria Williams led the All Starsı effort with 18 points and six assists on the day, while Kelli Garrett added 14 points and Lisa Diaz threw in 13. Furman outrebounded its opponent 50-37 and tallied 13 steals to the All Starsı seven. Both teams shot 85.7% from the free throw line but the Lady Paladins took 35 free shots to the Low Countryıs 14.

The Lady Paladins open the 1998-99 regular season on Wednesday, November 18 at Clemson in a 7 p.m. contest. Furman topped the 100 point mark in both its exhibition games.