Box Score STATESBORO, GA. -- Tate Walters poured in a game high 25 points and Furman used a decisive fourth quarter to pull away to a 73-58 road victory over Georgia Southern in women's basketball action Thursday evening at Hanner Fieldhouse.

The win was the first of the season for Furman (1-1) and 10th consecutive triumph over former Southern Conference foe Georgia Southern (1-2), which departed the league following the 2013-14 season.

Walters, a freshman guard from Buford, Ga., who played on four state championship teams at Buford High School, put on a show in only her second collegiate game, making 9-of-17 shots, including 4-of-9 3-pointers, and 3-of-4 free throws.  The Paladin newcomer also chipped in six rebounds, two assists, and two steals in 30 minutes of action.

She had a solid support cast in fellow freshman Sydney James, who contributed 16 points and seven rebounds, and senior All-SoCon small forward Tierra Hodges, who registered her second double-double in as many games with 12 points and 17 caroms.

Walters tallied 12 of Furman's 19 first quarter points and delivered nine points in the decisive fourth period that saw the Paladins break open a 47-46 lead en route to the win.

James fueled the Paladins' quick start in the fourth period, converting a layup and a 3-pointer for a 52-46 lead one minute into the period, and Jarya Outten's two free throws gave the Paladins their first double-digit lead of the night, 62-51, with 3:44 to go.

Walters capped her performance by converting a layup and her final trey of the contest to put Furman up, 67-55, with 2:15 remaining.

Furman connected on 9-of-11 field goal attempts, including all three 3-pointers, in the fourth period to finish a 43.9 percent from the field (25x57).

Georgia Southern, meanwhile, found the mark in just 5-of-17 shots over the game's final 10 minutes and ended the game at 31.7 percent (21x63) from the field.

James' performance was punctuated by 4-of-8 shooting from beyond the arc.  Furman converted 8-fof-22 3-pointers in the contest (36.4%).

Hodges' 17 rebounds helped the Paladins register a commanding 50-30 advantage on the boards. 

A'Tyanna Gaulden led Georgia Southern with 10 points.

Furman, which had its scheduled Tuesday home opener against Presbyterian canceled due to COVID-19 concerns in the Blue Hose program, will face another Sun Belt Conference foe in its next outing when it travels to Atlanta, Ga., to take on Georgia State in a Sunday, 2:00 p.m. contest.