Rock Hill, S.C. – Fifth-year seniors
Charles Johnston and
Tom House combined for 45 points to power Furman to a 79-70 victory over defending SWAC champion Bethune-Cookman in the season opener Monday night in The Field of 68 Opening Day Marathon at the Rock Hill Sports & Event Center.
Johnston, a native of Sydney, Australia, converted on 7-of-11 field goal attempts, including 6-of-9 from three, and went 3-for-3 at the foul line to pace the Paladins with 23 points. The 6-foot-11 forward added 11 rebounds to record his 27
thcareer double-double. House added 22 points on the strength of a 12-for-16 effort at the foul line while graduate senior
Marcus Kell contributed 14 points in his first game as a Paladin.
Furman, the defending Southern Conference champions, built a 15-point first half lead and led 39-28 at the half. Bethune-Cookman shot 48.4% from the field, including 50% beyond the arc in the second half to claw its way to within three points at 71-68 on a pair of free throws with 4:04 remaining. The Paladins answered with four straight points from
Luka Toews and Johnston followed a Wildcat basket with a stickback and completed the three-point play at the foul line to seal the verdict with 37 seconds to play.
On the night, Furman shot 42.3%, including a 12-for-31 performance from behind the arc, and converted on 23-of-30 trips to the foul line. The Paladins outscored Bethune-Cookman 16-9 off turnovers and registered 13 second chance points off 10 offensive rebounds.
Mari Jordan drained four triples and went 4-for-4 at the foul line to lead the Wildcats with 22 points.
Furman (1-0) is back in action when it hosts Bob Jones as part of a men's and women's doubleheader at Timmons Arena on Wednesday night. The Furman women take on Erskine at 5 p.m. with the men entertaining the Bruins at 7:30 p.m.
Single game tickets and season tickets are on sale now.
Minuteman Press is the Official Sponsor of Furman Athletics press releases.
