GREENVILLE, S.C. – Riding the program's most successful start in Southern Conference play in two decades, Furman's women's basketball team will wrap up the first half of the league season on Friday against Wofford in Spartanburg.
Tipoff for the ESPN+ streamed event at Richardson Indoor Stadium is set for 6:00 p.m.
Furman (13-8, 5-1 SoCon), winners of four straight, including road triumphs last week over Mercer (60-49) and Samford (70-62), is off to its best six-game start in SoCon play since the 2004-05 season. Head coach
Pierre Curtis' squad has already matched last season's league win tally while facing the most challenging portion of its conference schedule. Friday's contest against Wofford (12-9, 5-1 SoCon) represents the halfway point of the SoCon slate and the fifth road contest in seven games for the Paladins, who have won three of four road loop clashes thus far.
To extend its successful run to five games, Furman will have to halt an eight-game losing skid to the Terriers in Spartanburg, where the Paladins still own a 17-13 all-time edge, part of a 49-16 all-time series advantage.
Furman and Wofford are tied for second place in the SoCon standings, a half game behind Chattanooga.
Without the benefit of a returning starter off last year's 16-16 squad, the Paladins' improvement this season has primarily come from a sizable contingent of sophomores, four of whom are playing prominent starting roles.
Leading the way is 6-foot-1 forward
Clare Coyle (14.0 ppg, 9.2 rpg), whose stellar play has been even more critical of late due to sidelining injuries to fellow sophomores
Kyraha Parnell (6.1 ppg, 5.4 rpg) and
Channing Warren. Coyle, who ranks fourth in the SoCon in scoring, has been on a rebounding tear over the last six games, averaging 15.2 caroms, highlighted by a career high 18 rebounds versus Mercer, to pad her league lead in the category. The preseason All-SoCon selection also tops the league in field goal percentage (.524) and steals (45).
The most impactful newcomer this season has been
Alyssa Ervin (13.4 ppg, .324 3PFG%), a sophomore transfer guard from Elon who has demonstrated creativity and clutch play, especially on the offensive end. After draining a game winning shot with 20 seconds on the clock to beat East Tennessee State, 72-70, in Johnson City, she poured in a career high 24 points in the Paladins' 69-56 win over reigning SoCon champion UNCG. Named SoCon Player of the Week on January 20, she tallied 20 points in the win over Mercer.
Three other starters and key contributors include sophomore guards
Raina McGowens (9.0 ppg, 4.9 rpg) and
Chantelle Stuart (8.5 ppg, 78 ast., .344 3PFG%), and junior Gardner-Webb transfer
Lauren Bailey (6.1 ppg, .348 3PFG%). McGowens keyed Furman's comeback from an eight-point halftime deficit with a 12-point, seven-rebound performance in the eventual 31-point win over Western Carolina and claimed 11 rebounds against Mercer. Stuart poured in a career high 26 points versus UNC Greensboro, and Bailey came up big against Samford, knocking down 5-of-6 3-pointers for 15 points versus Samford.
Two freshmen have filled notable roles this year — point guard
Sophia Pearl (5.4 ppg, 55 ast.) and forward
Brooklyn King (4.2 ppg, 4.0 rpg).
Furman has erased 12, 10, and 8-point second half deficits, limited opponents to .319% shooting from the field, and held Mercer to four points in the second quarter, Western Carolina to just five points in the fourth period, and Samford to only 22 second half points in their current four-game winning streak.
In addition to the ESPN+ live stream, fans can also follow Saturday's action via Sidearm live stats and receive timely updates and highlight clips thru @FurmanWBB's "X" account. Links to the livestream and stats are available on Furman's women's basketball schedule page at FurmanPaladins.com.
