It was Furman’s 21st win in their 22nd game, as the Paladins improved to 13-7 overall and 7-4 in Southern Conference play, while the Catamounts fell to 9-12 overall and 3-10 in Southern Conference play.
Following the 9-2 deficit to open the game by the Catamounts, which featured a three-point play the old fashioned way by forward Xavier Cork and back-to-back threes by Cory Hightower and Kameron Gibson, the Catamounts found themselves out to a seven-point lead early in the contest, however, Noah Gurley, who tied Jalen Slawson with a game-high 16 points, knocked down a three, and that was followed by a pair of triples from Clay Mounce, as Furman built a quick 11-9 lead and never looked back, shooting a blistering 63.6% (21of-33) in the opening half of play, which included shooting 50% from three-point land (10-of-20), building a 24-point halftime lead.
In the second half, the Paladins would increase their lead to as much as 32 points when a Clay Mounce layup gave Furman a 74-42 lead. In two games against the Catamounts this season, the Paladins have shot 51.2% (64-of-125) from the field, including having connected on 42.7% (24-of-57) from three-point land. The Paladins finished out Saturday’s game against the Catamounts connecting on 49.3% (34-of-69) from the field, which included that impressive shooting performance in the opening half. In the second half of Furman’s first win in Cullowhee two weeks ago combined with the opening half of Saturday’s game, the Paladins connected 65.5% (38-of-58) from the field.
Western Carolina shot the ball well in the loss, connecting on 51,0% (26-of-51) from the field, but it was Furman’s sweltering defense, particularly in the opening 20 minutes, that helped force 18 Catamount turnovers, which led directly to 27 Paladin points, as Furman out-scored Western Carolina 27-7. So far this season and throughout the Bob Richey tenure, Furman has been at its best when it is able to force live-ball turnovers and turn those into points. Meanwhile, Furman was able to limit its turnover total to seven, which matched a season-low, which it matched in a 74-73 loss at VMI last month.
The Paladins held advantages in points off turnovers (27-7), assists (20-12), points in the paint (38-32), bench points (44-20), and second-chance points (11-6). The Catamounts were able to claim a 35-32 edge on the boards, and a slight advantage in shooting percentage (51.0%-49.3%). Furman connected on 14 three-pointers in the win, which is its most in SoCon play this season.
The Paladins held advantages in points off turnovers (27-7), assists (20-12), points in the paint (38-32), bench points (44-20), and second-chance points (11-6). The Catamounts were able to claim a 35-32 edge on the boards, and a slight advantage in shooting percentage (51.0%-49.3%). Furman connected on 14 three-pointers in the win, which is its most in SoCon play this season.
Of particular note has been the play of both Noah Gurley and Jalen Slawson as of late. The Paladins are 8-1 this season when Slawson scores in double figures, which he has done in two of the past three games. Since the loss to Wofford, Slawson has been coming off the bench., giving head coach Bob Richey excellent minutes and bringing energy almost immediately upon his insertion into the lineup. Slawson posted 16 points on 7-of-11 shooting from the field, including going 2-for-2 from three-point land. Slawson also added six rebounds, two assists, one steal and one block.
Gurley posted his 16 points on 7-of-8 shooting from the field, including 2-of-3 from three-point range. Gurley’s complete performance was once again highlighted by an outstanding performance on the backboards, which saw him rip down eight boards, while also dishing out three assists. A change to affect the game in a myriad of different ways, including his performance on the boards as of late, has been something noticeable in Gurley as of late. Adding to the credibility of that evidence was him taking a charge with 10:41 remaining against Western Carolina’s Tyler Harris and the Paladins leading 72-42 at that point in the contest. All told, the Paladins took three charges in the contest.
"I spent some time with Noah [Gurley] yesterday after practice, just wanting to relax him. He's too good of a player to be out here pressing. He's just got to let the game come to him a little bit," head coach Bob Richey said. "He did a great job of that today. When they brought two (defenders), he threw out and when they didn't bring two, he went and scored. ..He got 16 points tonight on eight shots, which is incredibly efficient. He shot more twos than threes, which I always like for him,” Richey added.
Gurley posted his 16 points on 7-of-8 shooting from the field, including 2-of-3 from three-point range. Gurley’s complete performance was once again highlighted by an outstanding performance on the backboards, which saw him rip down eight boards, while also dishing out three assists. A change to affect the game in a myriad of different ways, including his performance on the boards as of late, has been something noticeable in Gurley as of late. Adding to the credibility of that evidence was him taking a charge with 10:41 remaining against Western Carolina’s Tyler Harris and the Paladins leading 72-42 at that point in the contest. All told, the Paladins took three charges in the contest.
"I spent some time with Noah [Gurley] yesterday after practice, just wanting to relax him. He's too good of a player to be out here pressing. He's just got to let the game come to him a little bit," head coach Bob Richey said. "He did a great job of that today. When they brought two (defenders), he threw out and when they didn't bring two, he went and scored. ..He got 16 points tonight on eight shots, which is incredibly efficient. He shot more twos than threes, which I always like for him,” Richey added.
In three of his last four games, Gurley has rebounding totals of 11, 11 and eight. Prior to the past four games, only once had Gurley reached that eight rebound total, which came in a loss at Cincinnati.
Aside from Gurley and Slawson, the Paladins had two other players end up in double figures, Mounce and Jonny Lawrence added 14 and 11 points, respectively. Lawrence added his second double-figure scoring performance of the season, as he also came off the bench to score a career-high 15 points in Furman’s final non-conference game vs. South Carolina State. Lawrence finished by connecting on 4-of-8 shots from the field, including going 3-for-7 from three-point range and added a pair of steals. Mounce went 5-for-10 for the game, including connecting on 3-for-7 from three-point range, with a steal and an assist.
Western Carolina had five players end up in double figures, with Xavier Cork leading the way for the second-straight games for the Catamounts, posting 15 points on 7-of-8 shooting from the field. Cork also added seven rebounds, 2 assists and a block. Also finishing in double figures for the Catamounts were Kameron Gibson (13 pts), Cory Hightower (11 pts), Matt Halvorsen (11 pts) and Mason Faulkner (11 pts).
Furman will return to action Wednesday night when it hosts Samford at Timmons Arena, with tip-off set for 7 p.m. The Catamounts will be on the road Wednesday night, traveling to Chattanooga for a 7 p.m. contest.
Aside from Gurley and Slawson, the Paladins had two other players end up in double figures, Mounce and Jonny Lawrence added 14 and 11 points, respectively. Lawrence added his second double-figure scoring performance of the season, as he also came off the bench to score a career-high 15 points in Furman’s final non-conference game vs. South Carolina State. Lawrence finished by connecting on 4-of-8 shots from the field, including going 3-for-7 from three-point range and added a pair of steals. Mounce went 5-for-10 for the game, including connecting on 3-for-7 from three-point range, with a steal and an assist.
Western Carolina had five players end up in double figures, with Xavier Cork leading the way for the second-straight games for the Catamounts, posting 15 points on 7-of-8 shooting from the field. Cork also added seven rebounds, 2 assists and a block. Also finishing in double figures for the Catamounts were Kameron Gibson (13 pts), Cory Hightower (11 pts), Matt Halvorsen (11 pts) and Mason Faulkner (11 pts).
Furman will return to action Wednesday night when it hosts Samford at Timmons Arena, with tip-off set for 7 p.m. The Catamounts will be on the road Wednesday night, traveling to Chattanooga for a 7 p.m. contest.
No comments:
Post a Comment