GREENVILLE, S.C. -- Cierra Carter scored 19 points, including 14 in the second half, and drained a pair of free throws in the final minute of play to help lift Furman past Samford, 45-41, in the Southern Conference season opener for both teams Thursday afternoon at Timmons Arena.

The win was the third straight for Furman (10-5, 1-0 SoCon) over Samford (8-8, 0-1 SoCon) and improved the Paladins to 7-0 at home on the season heading into Saturday's 2:00 p.m. clash at Timmons Arena against defending SoCon regular season champion Mercer.

Carter, the Paladins' senior All-SoCon forward, made just 2-of-7 shots from the field in the first half as both teams struggled  to find any shooting touch, but the Columbia, S.C., product delivered an 11-point third quarter that helped Furman erase an 18-14 halftime deficit to take a 28-24 lead heading to the fourth quarter.

In the final period Carter's 3-pointer at the 8:11 mark gave the Paladins a 36-29 lead, but Samford clawed back with six straight points to get within 36-35 on a Ta'Naisha Hill 3-pointer with just under seven minutes to go.

A Hannah Nichols layup at the 2:26 mark tied the game for Samford at 39-39, but on the ensuing possession Le'Jaze Davidson delivered her only basket of the game, a rainbow 3-pointer, to put the Paladins ahead for good, 42-39.

The Bulldogs answered with another basket from Nichols, after which both teams failed to connect on a 3-point attempt.  Davidson couldn't put down a layup try with 38 seconds to go, but teammate Celena Taborn claimed the rebound, after which Carter was fouled with 25 seconds to go.  She ripped the net with both free throws to stretch the lead to 44-41.  Followingr a Bulldog miss, Kaitlyn Duncan converted one of two free throws with 14 seconds remaining for the final four-point margin.

Furman finished the game shooting 26.8 percent, connecting on just 15-of-56 shots.  Samford made just 13-of-49 attempts from the field, including just 1-of-12 shots in the third quarter that saw Furman open the period with a 12-1 run to go up, 26-19.

Taborn finished with nine points, and DeAnneisha Jackson registered eight points and 12 rebounds for the Paladins.

Carter connected on 6-of-15 shots, including two treys, and was a perfect 5-of-5 from the line.

Nichols paced Samford with 13 points and 12 rebounds.

The two teams each made 11 free throws on a combined 22-of-25 shooting from the stripe.

Hunter Reid, Furman Sports Information