GREENVILLE, S.C. -- Freshman Sydney Ryan poured in a game high 25 points to power Furman to an easy 84-27 triumph over Erskine in the Paladins' 2022-23 season opening game on Wednesday at Timmons Arena.

Ryan, a 5-foot-11 guard from Nashville, Tenn., led a Paladin 3-point barrage by connecting on 6-of-8 attempts beyond the arc, as Furman drained 14-of-30 3-pointers in the contest — just one shy of the school record 15 the Paladins made in a 91-56 win over Coastal Carolina in 2015.

The 25 points, along with nine rebounds, came in just under 25 minutes of action for Ryan, the former Brentwood High School standout.

She was followed by classmate Ella Riggs, who tallied 16 points in her collegiate debut.  The 5-foot-9 Cincinnati, Ohio, guard connected on 5-of-9 shots, including 3-of-5 treys.

Junior guard Evie DePetro finished with 14 points on the strength of 4-of-7 shooting from behind the stripe, and sophomore forward Kate Johnson posted a double-double with 11 points and 11 rebounds.

Head coach Jackie Carson only had 11 players on her game roster.  The Paladins are having to navigate season ending injuries to All-SoCon guard Tate Walters and SoCon All-Freshman Team guard Niveya Henley.  In addition, experienced wing performer Sydney James, the league's freshman of the year in 2021, was not available to play against the Flying Fleet.

The Paladins dominated the game from start to finish, shooting 40.0 percent from the field (30x75), while limiting Erskine to just six made field goals on 43 shots (14.0 percent).  Furman also forged a 57-32 rebounding advantage and forced 27 turnovers.

Eskine's 27 points represented the second lowest tally surrendered by Furman in program history.

The Paladins return to action on Friday, taking on Presbyterian in Clinton in a 6:30 p.m. contest.