Riverdale, N.Y. – Senior Charles Johnston posted his seventh double-double of the season and Eddrin Bronson converted on a crucial putback in the final minute to lead Furman to its fourth straight victory with a 75-68 triumph over Manhattan on Thursday night at Draddy Gymnasium.
 
With its seventh win in its last eight games, Furman improved to 8-4 on the season. Manhattan slid to 4-8.
 
Furman trailed 50-47 with under 12 minutes to go following an 8-0 Manhattan run. Back-to-back baskets from Alex Wilkins and a three-pointer from Tom House restored the lead and Johnston scored eight straight points in the final five minutes to put the Paladins up 69-62.
 
The Paladins held a 71-64 lead with under two minutes to play when Terrance Jones hit a stepback jumper and Jaden Winston drained a pair of free throws with 42 seconds left to cut the Furman advantage to 71-68. With the shot clock running down, Furman's Wilkins missed on a driving layup, but Bronson rebounded and scored the putback to increase the margin to 73-68 with 13 seconds to go. The Paladins forced a miss on the defensive end and Wilkins drained a pair of free throws to cap the victory.
 
Johnston totaled 11 points and 11 rebounds, including eight points and six boards in the second half, to notch his seventh double-double. Wilkins posted a game-high 18 points and seven assists while Cooper Bowser and Asa Thomas reached double figures with 16 and 12 points, respectively.
 
Furman shot 50% from the field, including 10-of-28 from three-point range, and outscored the Jaspers 38-26 in the paint to overcome 17 turnovers and a 5-for-14 effort at the foul line. The Paladins held a 42-36 edge on the glass and outscored Manhattan 13-12 on second chance points.
 
Winston and Devin Dinkins led the Jaspers with 17 points apiece, but Manhattan shot just 39% from the field and hit only 7-of-26 three-point attempts. The loss marked just the second home defeat of the year for the Jaspers.
 
Furman returns to Timmons Arena on Sunday, December 21, to close out the non-conference schedule with a 2 p.m. contest against Charleston Southern. Click here to purchase tickets.
 
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