CULLOWHEE, N.C. -- Whitney Bunn scored a career high 33 points and Kelsey Ellis converted eight consecutive free throws down the stretch in overtime to propel Furman to an 83-76 victory over Western Carolina in Southern Conference women's basketball action Thursday evening at the Ramsey Center.

The win was the second straight and third triumph in the last four outings for Furman (10-9, 3-1 SoCon), which will conclude a three-game road stretch on Sunday with a 2:00 p.m. contest at UNCG.

Western Carolina (5-15, 0-5 SoCon) was paced by Ace Easter's 22 points.

Coming off a brilliant 26-point performance in a road win at Wofford last Saturday, Bunn continued her big offensive production by draining 12-of-20 field goal attempts, including three 3-pointers, and all six free throw shots.  The 33-point performance by the All-Southern Conference guard topped her previous career high of 27 points notched in a 71-52 triumph over Winthrop in November and marked the highest tally by a Paladin since Lee Stephens poured in 34 points against both Clemson and Western Carolina during the 2008-09 season.

Ellis also provided decisive play, registering 12 of her 15 points in the second half and in overtime, including the Paladins' final eight points.  Her jump shot with 2:57 to go pulled Furman to within 74-73 and, following a Carter layup that put the Paladins up 75-74 with 2:09 remaining, she tickled the net with eight straight free throws to secure the verdict for Furman.

The Paladins, who made their final nine free throws, went 23-for-30 at the stripe (76.7 percent).

Carter matched Ellis with 15 points and bagged her fifth double-double of the season by securing a game high 12 rebounds.

The Paladins controlled the first half behind Bunn's 13 points and took a 39-27 advantage into intermission.  It didn't last long, however, as Western Carolina opened the second half with a 17-4 run to grab a 44-43 lead following a basket by Easter at the 4:50 mark.

Furman, which trailed 52-51 after three periods, watched Western Carolina take a 61-56 lead — its biggest of the game —  following another Easter bucket with less than a minute gone in the fourth quarter, but that's when Bunn took over, reeling off nine points in a 12-0 Paladin spurt that put the Paladins ahead 63-56 with 5:47 remaining.

Western Carolina broke the run with a basket and then outscored Furman 9-2 over the final five minutes of regulation to force overtime.

The Catamounts appeared primed to take the win after Kyia Hough's free throw staked WCU to a 72-68 advantage.  Bunn and Ellis combined to check that design, however, using a Bunn three-point play at the 3:23 juncture and Ellis jumper on the Paladins' next possession to get Furman to within 74-73.  Carter's layup put Furman ahead for good, setting the stage for Ellis' free throw shooting clinic.

The Paladins shot 45.8 percent for the game (27-for-59) while the Catamounts finished at 39.7 percent (29-for-73).  WCU claimed a 43-39 advantage on the boards, including a 20-12 margin on the offensive glass.

Shianne Goodwin delivered eight points and seven rebounds off the bench for Furman.

Bunn's 33-point effort pushed her career tally to 974 points, putting her within striking distance of becoming the 22nd player in Furman history to score 1,000 points.

Hunter Reid, Furman Sports Information