GREENVILLE, S.C. -- Teshia Griswold scored a game high 16 points and Brittany Hodges registered a double-double with 12 points and 11 rebounds to power Furman past Tusculum, 68-49, in the 2012-13 season opener for both teams Friday evening at Timmons Arena.

"Tusculum is a good basketball team — a veteran squad that knows how to win, so to come out aggressively like we did and grab a quick lead was a big key," said Furman head coach Jackie Carson.  "That said, we've got to learn to close better.  That's one of many things we'll continue to work on."

Griswold, who canned 5-of-10 field goals and four free throw opportunities, scored 11 of her 16 points in the first half to help Furman (1-0) grab an early 7-0 lead en route to a 42-23 halftime advantage.

Hodges, meanwhile, overcame foul trouble by getting to the free throw line 11 times for the Paladins, who outscored the Pioneers by 18 points at the charity stripe, converting 20-of-31 opportunities.

Janice Roberts rounded out Furman's double figure scoring trio with 11 points, which she combined with four rebounds, three steals, and a block.

Breaira Barksdale led Tusculum with 13 points and Kendal Baxter added 10 points for the Pioneers.

Furman shot effectively (15-of-31, 48.0 percent) and turned the ball over five times in the first half to take control of the game and finished the contest shooting 44.0 percent from the field.  The Paladins also forged a 46-41 advantage on the boards.

Furman returns to action on Tuesday when it entertains High Point in a 5:30 p.m. game in Timmons Arena prior to the Paladin men's 8:00 p.m. contest against Southern Wesleyan.