Greenville, S.C. – Freshman Alex Wilkins scored 26 points to lead five Paladins in double figures as Furman claimed its first victory in the newly renovated Timmons Arena with an 89-59 victory over Columbia International on Monday night.
 
Furman (1-2) held the Rams without a field goal for a stretch of 10:32 in the first half while fashioning a 24-1 run to take control of the game.  Five different players scored during the run to help the Paladins build a 29-8 lead on Wilkins' triple with 8:44 to go in the half as Furman carried a 49-25 lead into the locker room.
 
Wilkins, a native of Mattapan, Mass., connected on 9-of-17 shots from the floor and all four of his free throw attempts to lead the way for the Paladins while fellow freshman Abijah Franklin and junior Cooper Bowser totaled 11 points apiece. Asa Thomas scored 10 points off the bench and senior Charles Johnston posted his second double-double of the season with with 10 points and 10 rebounds.
 
Furman shot just 44.3% but outscored the CIU 38-16 in the paint and compiled 21 second chance points off 21 offensive rebounds on its way to a 51-26 advantage on the glass. The Paladins, who forced 14 turnovers, turned the CIU miscues into 20 points.
 
Will Kelly paced the Rams with 18 points on a 7-for-9 effort at the line. The Paladins limited Columbia International to 38.5% shooting from the field, including just 25% from three-point range to improve to 3-0 all-time versus the Rams.
 
Furman returns to action on Friday when it travels to Cedar Falls, Iowa, to face the Northern Iowa Panthers. Tip-off at the McLeod Center is set for 7 p.m. EST and the game will be streamed live on ESPN+.
 
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