GREENVILLE, S.C. -- Furman used a strong second quarter to grab a double digit lead it would never relinquish on the way to a 64-52 victory over UNCG in Southern Conference women's basketball action Monday evening at Timmons Arena.

The triumph was the fifth straight for Furman (14-9, 7-2 SoCon), which climbed to within a half game of second place and one game behind league frontrunner Mercer with five regular season games remaining on the schedule.

Tate Walters, who scored 19 points in the Paladins' 54-44 win over the Spartans on Saturday in Greensboro, N.C., led the way again for Furman, converting 9-of-10 free throws to offset just a 3-for-14 shooting performance from the field for a game high 15 points.  The sophomore guard chipped in a game high six assists and three steals.

Sydney James followed with 12 points and Tierra Hodges joined freshman Niveya Henley for a pair of 10-point outings to round out the double figure scoring for Furman.

The Paladins and Spartans entered the contest ranked first and second in the SoCon, respectively in rebounding, but Furman dominated the glass, posting a 45-31 advantage.

Leading 21-19 midway through the second quarter, Paladin freshman forward Kate Johnson converted an offensive rebound into a bucket, and Sydney James contributed a 3-pointer — part of her nine-point second quarter — to spark a 14-4 run that sent Furman into intermission with a 35-23 lead.

The Paladins were never threatened in the second half, twice extending their advantage to 19 points, including a 62-43 margin with under three minutes remaining.

Head coach Jackie Carson emptied her bench of the game's final two minutes.

Furman shot 39.7 percent in the contest (23x58) to UNCG's 35.1 percent (20x57).

Henley's 10 points, which featured 4-for-8 shooting, including 2-of-4 from 3-point range, represented a season high.

Pernilla Sorenson led UNCG (6-15, 2-6 SoCon) with 13 points.

The Paladins play at Wofford on Saturday.