CULLOWHEE, N.C. – Alyssa Ervin scored 20 points and Furman used strong work in the second and third quarters to forge a big lead en route to a 60-51 win over Western Carolina in Southern Conference women's basketball action on Thursday evening at the Ramsey Center.
 
With the victory Furman improved to 15-10 overall and 7-3 in SoCon play to maintain its hold on second place in the SoCon along with Wofford.  The win also completed the Paladins' regular season sweep of Western Carolina (3-21, 0-10 SoCon) and made Furman 17-1 in its last 18 games with the Catamounts.
 
Furman trailed 10-9 after the first quarter but took control in the second period, outscoring Western Carolina 20-9 in the frame to take a 30-19 lead into halftime.
 
Ervin scored Furman's first nine points of the second half, part of an 11-2 run that she capped with an assist on a Clare Coyle basket which stretched the Paladins' advantage to 41-21 at the 5:37 mark.
 
The Paladins' led by as many as 22 on three occasions in the third quarter and enjoyed a 52-33 advantage heading to the fourth period.
 
Ervin's big performance was made possible by 7-of-15 shooting from the field, including 3-of-7 work from 3-point range.  The sophomore guard from Galax, Va., also converted 3-of-4 free throws and added four rebounds, along with a block and a steal.
 
She was joined in double figures by Clare Coyle, who contributed 11 points along with nine rebounds.
 
Furman combined to connect on 15-of-26 shots from the field and 6-of-8 treys in the decisive second and third quarters.
 
For the game the Paladins shot .392 percent from the field (20x51) and .389 percent from 3-point range (7x18).
 
Ally Hollifield paced Western Carolina with 15 points.
 
Furman finished the contest with a 37-30 rebounding advantage.
 
The Paladins play at UNC Greensboro on Saturday in a 2:00 p.m. contest.