GREENVILLE, S.C. -- Whitney Bunn scored a career high 26 points and Holli Wilkins added 24 points, including 17 in the second half, to help Furman beat Appalachian State, 84-79, in women's basketball action Saturday afternoon at Timmons Arena.

In a battle of former Southern Conference foes, Furman (6-3) led by as many as 19 points in the second half before Appalachian State (3-3) twice cut the advantage to three points but could get no closer as the Paladins held on to post their 15th win in the last 17 home games.

Bunn, the Paladins' sophomore point guard coming off a school record 15-assist performance in a victory over Coastal Carolina on Wednesday night, continued her productive play by converting 11-of-18 shots, including 4-of-7 attempts from 3-point range, while tacking on five assists.

It was Wilkins, however, who rescued Furman from Appalachian State's furious second half comeback, delivering back-to-back driving layups after the Mountaineers fashioned a 17-4 run to cut the Paladins' 19-point lead to six at 69-63 with 8:25 remaining.

A layup by Appalachian State's Bria Huffman with 3:10 to go got the Mountaineers to within four at 78-74, but Wilkins answered again with another layup following an offensive rebound for a six-point lead.

Wikins stretched the advantage to 82-74 with a pair of free throws with just under two minutes left.

The Mountaineers wouldn't go away, however, as an Angela Bassett-Smith basket and Katie Mallow 3-pointer with 1:06 to go sliced the lead to 82-79.

After Furman failed to score on the ensuing possession, Mallow's pressured 3-point attempt failed to reach the rim, and the Paladins' Allison Beasley put the game in the win column by draining a pair of free throws with five seconds showing on the clock.

Wilkins' season high 24-point performance featured 9-of-16 shooting, five rebounds, and a career high six assists.

Sarah Durdaller added 13 points and a team high nine rebounds, and Brittany Hodges finished with 11 points.

Maryah Sydnor claimed game high scoring honors with 32 points, which featured 9-of-16 shooting and solid work at free throw line, where the Mountaineer senior forward converted 12-of-14 opportunities.  As a team Appalachian State knocked home 23-of-27 free throws.

Mallow chipped in 15 points for Appalachian State.

Furman used 50.0 percent shooting (18-of-36) in the first half to take a 46-33 advantage into intermission.  The Paladins led 65-46 five minutes into the second period following a steal by and layup by Bunn.

Furman finished the game shooting 45.1 percent (32-of-71) and the Mountaineers 38.8 percent (26-of-67).

Furman continues its five-game homestand on Monday when it entertains North Greenville in a 7:00 p.m. contest.

Hunter Reid, Furman Sports Information