Chattanooga, Tenn. – Furman ended the first half on a 15-0 run to grab a 39-30 halftime lead en route to a 78-67 road victory over the Chattanooga Mocs on CBS Sports Network Wednesday evening at McKenzie Arena.
 
The victory improved the Paladins to 11-5 overall and 2-1 in Southern Conference play while Chattanooga slipped to 6-10 overall and 0-3 in the league. Wednesday's triumph marked Furman's 77^th victory on the opponent's home floor in the last 11 seasons, which is tied for fourth most in NCAA Division I.
 
Trailing 30-24 with 5:35 remaining in the opening half, the Paladins held Chattanooga scoreless the rest of the period and took the lead with three consecutive three-pointers, including two from Tom House. Freshman Cole Bowser, making his collegiate debut, capped the half with a steal and breakaway slam for his first career points and Charles Johnston scored seven of his season-high 21 points in the first 3:12 of the season half to help the Paladins increase the margin to 48-33 on the senior's triple with 16:48 to play.
 
Chattanooga clawed within seven points twice in the second half, but the Paladins connected on 10-of-12 second-half free throw attempts and limited the Mocs to 37.5% shooting from the field to finish off the win. Furman, 45.6% from the field, went 11-for-26 from behind the arc and 15-of-20 at the foul line.
 
Johnston drained 10 of his 14 field goal attempts and added eight rebounds while Tom House converted on 5-of-9 three-point tries to score a season-high 17 points. Asa Thomas added 16 points and pulled down eight rebounds. The decision was made prior to the Chattanooga game to play Bowser for the first time and the 6-foot-6 Bowie, Md., native responded with six points, a game-high 10 rebounds, one steal and one blocked shot.
 
Guard Jordan Frison totaled a game-high 25 points to lead the Mocs while Teddy Washington Jr. scored 15.
 
The Paladins outscored Chattanooga 30-20 in the paint, 14-7 off second chance opportunities, and posted a 39-32 rebounding edge.
 
Furman returns to Timmons Arena to host the VMI Keydets for Legends Weekend on Saturday, January 10, at 2 p.m. Tickets are available and can be purchased on Furman's Ticketmaster page.
 
Minuteman Press is the Official Sponsor of Furman Athletics press releases.