Greenville, S.C. – Senior Brandon Sebirumbi recorded a double-double with 15 points and a career-high 11 rebounds to lead Furman past NCAA Division III Roanoke College, 75-49, in the Paladins' season opener on Friday night at Timmons Arena.

Sebirumbi, a native of Fort Worth, Texas, connected on 4-of-6 shots from the field and converted on 7-of-8 trips to the line as Furman recovered from 31.4% shooting in the first half to shoot 39.1% for the game and outscore the Maroons 38-22 after intermission.  Junior Bryant Irwin added 14 points and six rebounds while sophomore Charlie Reddick chipped in with 11 points and seven boards.

Roanoke jumped out to a 4-0 lead in the opening 2:30 of the first half, but Furman managed to make good on its first six trips to the foul line, including a three-point play by Bobby Austin with 10:53 remaining in the period to cap a 14-2 run and give the Paladins a 14-6 advantage.  The Maroons made 7-of-8 first half free throws and held Furman to 4-of-20 shooting beyond the arc in the opening 20 minutes to keep the margin at 37-27 at the break.

Furman came out in the second half and shot 48% from the floor and forced the Maroons into 11 of their 19 turnovers in the final 20 minutes to pull away.  The Paladins, who scored 21 points off Roanoke's 19 turnovers, fashioned a 52-32 rebounding margin, including 20 offensive boards, and outscored the visitors 32-18 in the paint.

Guard Kwasi Amponsah led Roanoke with 15 points while Logan Singleton added 11.  The Maroons shot just 31% from the field and 4-of-17 from three-point range.  

Sophomore Richard Brown tallied eight points for the Paladins and freshman David Brown, son of the former Furman guard of the same name, added eight.  Bobby Austin totaled seven points, seven boards and four assists.

Furman hits the road for the first time during the 2011-12 season when it travels to New York City to face the Columbia University Lions on Monday.  Tip-off is slated for 7 p.m.

Fans fan follow live stats and live audio of Monday's game through Stretch Internet at www.FurmanPaladins.com.