GREENVILLE, S.C. – Nick Anderson scored 22 points to lead Furman past VMI, 75-71, on the Paladins' Senior Day Saturday afternoon at Bon Secours Wellness Arena in Greenville, S.C.

With the victory, Furman improves to 21-8 overall and 9-7 in Southern Conference play, while VMI drops to 13-16 overall and 7-9 in league action. 

The Paladins held a three-point lead at the intermission and led by four, 41-37, with 12:44 left in the game before putting together a 6-0 run to take a 47-37 advantage with just over 11 minutes remaining in the second half.  A three-pointer by PJay Smith at the 7:29 mark gave Furman a 13 point lead, 57-44, but the Keydets went on a 14-5 run to cut the Paladin advantage to 62-58 with 2:43 to play.  

Furman stretched the lead to eight, 66-58, off a layup by Anderson with a minute and a half remaining, but again VMI chipped away at the margin and got as close at two points off a TJ Johnson three-pointer with three seconds left in the game.  Furman connected on seven of eight free throws in the final minute of the game, including two by Smith with three seconds remaining to seal the victory.

Anderson made 8-of-9 at the foul line and added four assists to pace the Paladins, while Smith posted 17 points, eight rebounds, and three steals.  Ben VanderWal scored nine points and pulled down six rebounds, and Garrett Hien totaled eight points.  Sophomore Cooper Boswer tallied eight rebounds and six points. 

Furman shot 47.2% and scored on 17-of-22 free throw attempts (77.3%).  The Paladins notched a 37-33 rebounding advantage. 

Johnson totaled a team-high 21 points for the Keydets, while Tan Yildizoglu added 20 points.  VMI held a 38-30 advantage in points in the paint, but the Keydets were held to 41.8% shooting on the afternoon. 

Furman concludes its regular season home schedule on Wednesday night when it hosts The Citadel Bulldogs at the Well.  Tickets are available for purchase at FurmanPaladins.com.