GREENVILLE, S.C. -- Sdyney James scored 10 of her 12 points in the second half and seven consecutive points in the key fourth quarter stretch to help Furman beat Mercer, 58-56, in Southern Conference women's basketball play Saturday afternoon at Timmons Arena.

The victory snapped a three-game losing skid for Furman (12-9, 2-3 SoCon), with the 12 victories under first-year head coach Pierre Curtis topping last year's 11-win campaign.  It also halted a four-game series losing skid to Mercer (8-14, 2-4 SoCon).

With Furman holding a 47-44 lead midway through the fourth quarter, James buried a 15-foot jumper and then converted a pair of free throws with 3:54 to go to put the Paladins up 51-44.  Following a Mercer basket, the senior from Ocala, Fla., extended her personal seven-point scoring spree by stretching the net with a rainbow 3-pointer from the right wing to put Furman up, 54-46, with just under four minutes remaining.

Sydney Ryan, who also tallied 12 points, including 10 in the first half, drained two free throws with 36 seconds to go to a 58-51 lead, effectively sealing the win.  She topped Furman's rebounding effort with nine caroms.

Furman was paced in scoring by Niveya Henley with 14 points.

Paraskevi Kolia, who moved into the starting lineup at point guard after Tate Walters was a late scratch due to injury, contributed a game high six assists in 22 minutes of action.

The Paladins shot 39.3 percent from the field, connecting on 22-of-56 shots, including 6-of-12 from 3-point range.  Mercer, meanwhile, hit on 24-of-70 attempts (34.3%).

A pair of Ryan baskets fueled a 9-0 Furman finish to the first quarter, helping the Paladins up, 15-11.

A late second quarter 6-0 Furman burst, featuring two baskets by Koilia and a Ryan layup with 53 seconds on the clock, sent the Paladins into halftime with a 30-21 lead.

Mercer got a game high 20 points from Stacie Jones, 17 points from Summah Evans, and 14 from Mackenzie Johnson.

The Bears claimed a 43-40 edge in rebounding but were outscored 17-0 in bench production.

Furman's next game is Thursday against East Tennessee State in Johnson City, with tipoff set for 7:00 p.m.