Postgame Press Conference

Greenville, S.C. – Senior Jordan Lyons poured in 24 points and junior Clay Mounce added 22 to power Furman past Loyola Chicago, 87-63, in the Paladins' home opener Friday night at Timmons Arena.
 
After carrying a 34-28 lead into halftime, Furman shot 64.3% from the field and connected on 13-of-18 trips to the foul line over the final 20 minutes to outscore the Ramblers 53-35 in the second half. The Paladins registered 12 steals on the night and forced Loyola into 22 turnovers.
 
Furman built a 10-point lead in the first half, despite the Ramblers shooting 59.1% from the floor in the opening 20 minutes. The Paladins led 50-43 with 13 minutes to play before taking control of the game with a 9-0 run. Mounce started the run with a jumper and Mike Bothwell recorded a steal and fed Lyons for a triple to up the margin to 55-43. After a Loyola Chicago timeout, both teams went scoreless for over two minutes before Jalen Slawson converted on two trips to the foul line and finished the Paladins' next possession with a slam to extend the lead to 59-43 with 7:52 to play.
 
Lyons hit on 8-of-13 shots from the field and 6-of-8 trips to the foul line. He added five assists and three steals to go with his game-high 24 points. Mounce buried 5-of-6 three-point attempts to score his 22 points, while Slawson netted a career-high 14 points and Bothwell added 10.
 
The Paladins shot 55.4% from the floor and made 8-of-20 three-point attempts. Furman scored 21 points off of Loyola's 22 turnovers and tallied 18 points in transition.
 
Guard Lucas Williamson paced the Ramblers with 18 points. Loyola shot 52.7%, but made only 4-of-14 three-point attempts and converted on just 1-of-3 trips to the foul line.
 
Furman returns to action on Tuesday when it travels to face Charleston Southern at CSU Fieldhouse. Tip-off is scheduled for 7:30 p.m. and the game will be streamed live on ESPN+.
 
Furman basketball tickets and four-game pack for "Weekends at the Well" are available at FurmanPaladins.com.