GREENVILLE,S.C. -- Tate Walters scored 21 points and Niveya Henley added 18 points to power Furman past UNC Asheville, 71-61, in the 2023-24 women's basketball season opener for both teams Tuesday evening at Timmons Arena.

The victory made Furman's Pierre Curtis a winner in his head coaching debut following 10 seasons as an assistant and associate head coach in the Paladin program.

Walters and Henley, both sidelined a year ago due to injuries, delivered in a big way in their return to the court. A redshirt junior guard, Walters made 8-of-16 shot including 3-of-6 3-pointers, while Henley, a redshirt sophomore guard, connected on 5-of-9 attempts from the field, including her only shot from 3-point range. The Seattle, Wash., product led Furman at the line, converting 7-of-9 attempts.

Jada Session complemented Walters and Henley with a stellar performance, producing 16 points and nine rebounds in 26 minutes of action. 

Trailing 19-14 after one quarter, Furman opened the second period behind Henley and Walters, who combined to score 12 of the Paladins 13 points in a 13-1 run to take a 27-20 lead six minutes into the frame.

The Bulldogs answered with seven straight points to tie it at 27-27 on Mallory Bruce's three-point play, only to see Walters counter+ with a pair of 3-pointers to help send Furman into the halftime with a 34-31 advantage.

UNCA Asheville used a Jaila Lee jumper to go up 44-43 with 4:23 to go in the third period, before Furman responded with an 8-0 finish to the quarter with a 51-44 lead.

UNCA got within four points at 61-57 with just under three minutes to go before failed a steal attempt on the ensuing possession allowed Walters to break free for uncontested 10-foot jumper to keep the Bulldogs in check

Furman used its size advantage inside to claim a 53-34 edge in rebounding, with Sydney Ryan joining Session with a game high nine caroms to go along with seven points.  Henley added eight rebounds,and Kate Johnson and Sydney James registered seven boards apiece.

UNC Asheville was led by Lalmani Simmons with 14 points, and Lee finished with 12.  

The Paladins shot 43.9 percent from the field (25x57), while the Bulldogs managed to connect on just 22-of-64 shots (34.4 percent).  

Furman plays Saturday at Georgia Tech in a 2:00 p.m. game.