GREENVILLE, S.C. – Winners of six of its last eight games, Furman's women's basketball team will look to carry its momentum into Thursday's Southern Conference season opener at East Tennessee Sate.

Tipoff for the ESPN+ live streamed contest at Brooks Gym is set for 7:00 p.m.  The Paladins will wrap up the SoCon season opening road swing with a Saturday, 2:00 p.m. contest against Chattanooga.

Furman (8-7, 0-0 SoCon), a preseason fifth place pick in a poll of league head coaches, wrapped up its season non-conference schedule on Saturday with a 106-21 rout of Bob Jones — the most lopsided victory in program history.

East Tennessee State (7-8, 0-0 SoCon), picked third in the coaches' preseason poll, enters Thursday's fray riding a three-game winning streak, including a 72-47 triumph over King on Jan. 2.  

The Buccaneers claimed both regular season meetings with the Paladins a year ago, but Furman turned the tables in ETSU in SoCon Tournament play with a 64-58 first round triumph in Asheville.  The Paladins have enjoyed success in Johnson City over the years, posting a 19-15 mark, but the Buccaneers have won the last three clashes at Brooks Gym, including a 62-50 verdict last year.  Overall Furman holds a 48-27 edge in the all-time series.

A fast start in league play for Furman will most likely require solid play by the Paladins' top player, forward Clare Coyle (15.1 ppg), the SoCon's current rebounding leader (7.5 rpg).  The sophomore preseason All-SoCon performer owns five double-doubles this season and is shooting a league leading 59.1 percent from the field while also pacing the squad with 31 steals.

Joining Coyle in the double figure scoring register are a pair of sophomore guards — Alyssa Ervin (12.3 ppg) and Raina McGowens (10.4 ppg). 

Ervin, a transfer from Elon, has displayed a variety of scoring skills over the season's first two months and owns notable 16 and 18-point performances against Vanderbilt and Florida, respectively.

McGowens has delivered solid play in stretches this year, none more important than a career high 24-point display that almost single-handily helped deliver 90-89 overtime win over Georgia State.

Five other Paladins have commanded significant playing time this year for third-year head coach Pierre Curtis, who was charged with the task of replacing all five starters from a year ago. They include freshman point guard Sophia Pearl (6.4 ppg, 46 ast.), junior guard transfer Lauren Bailey (6.3 ppg, .363 3PFGs), sophomore point guard Chantelle Stuart (6.1 ppg, SoCon leading 5.5 apg), sophomore forward Kyraha Parnell (5.6 ppg, 5.2 rpg), and Samaria Taylor (5.1 ppg).

In addition to the live stream, fans can also follow the 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