Furman Starts New Season with Rout of Columbia International

 Furman 104,  Columbia International 46

Furman junior guard Tom House led the Paladins with 21 points in his debut

GREENVILLE, S.C.--Furman got its 112th basketball season off to a strong start, as it posted a 104-46 win over Columbia International in the 2024-25 season opener Monday night at Bon Secours Wellness Arena. The win saw the Paladins move to 8-0 in season openers under the direction of eighth-year head coach Bob Richey. 

The win marked the 199th since the start of the 2015-16 season, as the Paladins reached the century mark for the 16th time under head coach Bob Richey.  The Paladins improved to 1-0, while Columbia International remained 2-0, as the contest counted just as an exhibition for the NAIA member of the Appalachian Athletics Conference. 

The 46 points by an opponent is the second-lowest total for a foe under the direction of head coach Bob Richey, with only the 45 points scored in the 2019 matchup between the same two teams representing a lower total. The 58-point margin of victory marked the largest for a Paladin team since a 118-52 win over South Carolina State on Dec. 21, 2020. 

The Paladins were once again without preseason all-conference selection and point guard PJay Smith Jr., who continues to work his way back from a minor hand injury, while 6-11 center Charles Johnston was also not dressed for the opener, and his minor issue shouldn't have him out for a long period of time. The rest of the 13 players that dressed for the Paladins in Monday night's opener ended up playing, with 12 of those players ending up in the scoring column. Furman finished the night with 57 points from its bench, outscoring the Rams 57-23 in that category. 

In his first official game for the 'Dins, Tom House led the way, scoring all 21 of his points in the opening 20 minutes of action, as he connected on 7-of-10 shots from the field and was 4-of-6 from long range in a little over 17 minutes of action in the opener. The Paladins had a total of five players finish the night in double figures in the season-opening win. 

House, who transferred in from Florida State during the off-season, saw his performance from three-point range (4-of-6) a small sample size of the Paladins' sizzling effort from long range for the night, especially in the opening half of play, as Furman connected on 12-of-17 (70.6%) from long-range in the opening half of play, finishing the season-opener going 13-of-21 (61.9%) from long-range. 

The Paladins coasted to a 58-15 halftime lead on the strength of that strong effort from long-range in the opening half of play, as well as connecting on 64.7% (22-of-34) overall in the opening half of play. The Paladins would push its lead to as much as 64 points (97-33) in the second half.

Not to be overlooked was the performance on the defensive end of the floor, which has been a major focus for head coach Bob Richey and staff following a season that saw the Paladins rank 308th nationally in defensive efficiency (52.9%) according to KenPom. 

The Paladins got out to a big lead by holding the Rams to just 22.2% (6-of-27) shooting from the field in the opening half and held the visiting NAIA foe to just 28.6% (16-of-56) from the field for the game. As a big part of that improved defensive focus, the Paladins were excellent defending the perimeter, holding the Rams to just 9.5% (2-for-21) from downtown in the game. The Paladins also forced 18 turnovers and had over 40 ball deflections, leading to a decisive 28-6 edge in points from turnovers. 

House was joined in double figures by redshirt freshman Tommy Humphries, who finished with 15 points on a 6-for-8 effort from the field, while senior Tyrese Hughey notched his second-career double-double, with 11 points and a game-high 12 boards. True freshman Mason Smith and redshirt freshman Eddrin Bronson rounded out the double figure scorers for the Paladins, finishing with 11 and 10 points, respectively. 

The Rams had one player in double figures in the contest, with Will Kelly leading the Rams leading the way off the bench with 10 points on a 4-for-10 shooting effort from the field. 

Furman returns to action Friday night when it heads to the Curb Events Center to face Belmont. The Paladins have won back-to-back games against the Bruins, with both wins coming in Greenville, including what was a 99-76 win at Timmons Arena last season. The last time the Paladins faced the Bruins in Nashville, the Paladins were on the wrong end of a 95-89 overtime loss to the Bruins during the 2021-22 season. Tip-off for Friday night's contest is set for 7 p.m. EST. The Bruins started the 2024-25 season off in a positive fashion, with a 93-70 win over Maryville (TN). 

Furman Opens Hoops Season Monday Night at "The Well"

--Picked fifth in the SoCon  by the league's head coaches, Furman is set to open the 2024-25 basketball season Monday night when it hosts Columbia International Monday night at Bon Secours Wellness Arena, with tip-off set for 7 p.m. The Paladin, who were 17-16 a year ago,  have won 198 games since the start of the 2015-16 season and will be playing in several different home venues for the upcoming campaign, as Timmons Arena gets a 40-million-dollar upgrade. The Paladins return six players off a team that finished fifth-place in the Southern Conference last season, including three off a team that won 28 games and a SoCon title two years ago. The Paladins will be tipping off their 112th basketball season under eighth-year head coach Bob Richey (166-70/8th yr). Since 1998, Furman is 9-9 overall at "The Well." Tip-off between the Paladins and Rams is set for 7 p.m. EST.

What To Watch...

It's no secret that Furman must replace its three top scorers and four of its top players from a year ago, however, there is plenty of reason for optimism heading into the 2024-24 season. Senior guard PJay Smith Jr. (10.0 PPG, 3.4 RPG) was the lone all-conference member that returns from a year ago, and he returns to the point guard spot to lead the Paladins this season. Junior forwards Ben VanderWal (5.9 PPG, 4.6 RPG) and Tyrese Hughey (4.9 PPG, 3.8 RPG) return from that team that won 28 games two years ago, as does senior center Garrett Hien (6.8 PPG, 3.9 RPG, 2.3 APG). Center Cooper Bowser will look for a big jump from season one to season two, as well as sophomore forward Davis Molnar (2.9 PPG, 3.3 RPG), with both expected to see a pretty significant minutes increase this season, with Bowser entering the season as a projected starter. Redshirt freshman guards Eddirin Bronson and Tommy Humphries are set to see the first official action of their Paladin careers, with both expected to make a significant impact in year one. The three newcomers for the Paladins will include: wing guard Nick Anderson (grad transfer from Barry University), center Charles Johnston (Jr/Cal-State Monterrey Bay) and shooting guard Tom House (Jr./Florida State) are all expected to play significant roles this season. Both Anderson and Johnston were in double figures in Furman's 82-61 loss to No.11 Auburn last week, with Anderson leading all scorers with 19 points, while Johnston, who has played only 4.5 years of organized basketball, contributing 12. House scored 19 points in a secret scrimmage vs UNC Asheville a couple of weeks ago. The Paladins were without leading point guard PJay Smith Jr. in both of their scrimmages prior to the season, and he is expected back tonight. If for some reason he doesn't return in the opener, expect to see him Friday night in a big game at Belmont. 

A little on Columbia International

The Rams are an NAIA member of the Appalachian Athletic Conference and won 20 games in 2023-24, finishing with a 20-12 mark. The Rams are under the direction of head coach and former Clemson sharp-shooter Tony Stockman before transferring to Ohio State to complete his college hoops career and is now in his sixth season leading the Rams program. The Rams are off to a 2-0 start with wins over Morris College (W, 107-58) and Warner University (W, 77-75). The Rams have three players averaging in double figures coming into their opener, with senior forward Christian Howard leading the scoring efforts with 18.0 PPG and 9.0 RPG, while fellow forward and Easley, S.C., native Johnny Whysong adds 14.5 PPG and 7.0 RPG. Senior forward Brandon Hunt rounds out the double-figure scorers entering Monday's opener, adding 10.0 PPG and 2.5 RPG. 

Last Time They Met:  Furman 90, Columbia International 45 (Nov. 22, 2019)--In the only previous meeting between the two, Furman doubled up the Rams with a 90-45 win over the Rams at Timmons Arena.