GREENVILLE, S.C. -- Tate Walters scored 19 points and Grace van Rij contributed a career high 16 points to lead Furman past Presbyterian, 68-39, in the Paladins' 2021-22 season opener Friday evening a Timmons Arena.

Walters, a sophomore from Buford, Ga., connected on 7-of-13 field goals, including 3-for-6 from 3-point range, and also contributed seven rebounds along with seven assists in 33 minutes of action. 

van Rij's 16 points, which topped her previous career high of 12 points registered against Samford during the 2019-20 season, came on 6-of-10 shooting.  The senior from Knoxville, Tenn., also finished with seven rebounds.

Senior All-Southern Conference forward Tierra Hodges notched her 16th double-double in the last 25 games, tallying 13 points to go along with a game high14 caroms.

Furman converted just one of its first 11 shots from the field before Hodges drained a 3-pointer to give the Paladins a 6-4 lead five and a half minutes into the game and spark a 12-2 run that put Furman up, 18-6, following a Walters 3-pointer.

The Paladins led 20-11 after one period and took control in the second quarter, pushing their advantage to 39-16 on a Hodges layup with 1:13 to go.

Furman was never threatened over the final 20 minutes, allowing head coach Jackie Carson to play all 16 players in uniform.

The Paladins finished the game shooting 40.9 percent from the field (27x66).  PC, meanwhile, converted just 15-of-58 shots (25.9 percent).

Furman claimed a 48-40 rebounding advantage.

The Paladins play at Georgia on Monday in a 7:00 p.m. game.