Cullowhee, N.C. – Western Carolina used a 30-9 run to overcome a nine-point second half deficit and claim an 85-77 victory over Furman in Southern Conference men's basketball action Wednesday evening at the Ramsey Center in Cullowhee, N.C.
 
The loss dropped Furman to 16-14 overall and 10-7 in league play while the Catamounts moved into a fourth-place tie with the Paladins at 21-9 overall and 10-7 in the SoCon.
 
Trailing 57-48 with under 12 minutes to play, Russell Jones and Bernard Pelote ignited a 30-9 spurt that gave the Catamounts a 78-66 lead on DJ Campbell's triple with 2:09 remaining.  The pair each netted eight points during the run as Western Carolina shot 60% in the second half to score 55 points after the break.
 
Furman closed the first half on an 11-1 run to lead 32-30 at the break and opened the second half by making its first five shots to extend the lead to 57-48 before the decisive run. JP Pegues, who became the 52^nd player in school history to reach 1,000 career points, poured in a career-best 35 points on 6-of-13 shooting behind the arc and a 9-for-9 effort at the foul line.
 
Ben VanderWal tallied 10 points to join Pegues in double figures, but the Paladins shot just 41%, including 11-of-35 from behind the arc. Jones scored 20 points to lead five Catamounts in double figures. Vonterious Woolbright finished with 15 points, 10 boards, and 11 assists to record a triple-double while Campbell netted 12 points, Pelote scored 11, and Tre Jackson added 10.
 
Western Carolina shot 54.5% for the night, hit on 8-of-19 three-point tries, and converted on 17-of-23 trips to the foul line. The Catamounts outscored Furman 36-20 in the paint and managed a 35-33 rebounding edge.
 
The regular season concludes on Saturday, March 2, when Furman hosts Mercer at 2 p.m. in the final game at Timmons Arena before its complete renovation. Fans can take advantage of Furman's $5 Finale Flash Sale to secure tickets to the historic game at Timmons.