GREENVILLE, S.C. – Furman's Clare Coyle has been named Southern Conference Women's Basketball Player of the Week, the league announced today.
 
Coyle, a 6-foot-1 sophomore forward, set the table for Furman's 65-64 SoCon road victory over Wofford last Friday by scoring 17 points, claiming 11 rebounds, and posting two assists, two blocks, and a steal in helping the Paladins win their fifth straight game and claim sole possession of second place in the league. 
 
The Jacksonville, Fla., product registered a monster fourth quarter against the Terriers, tallying 11 of Furman's 17 points in the period, including three consecutive baskets that effectively erased a 60-53 deficit with four minutes remaining. With the Paladins trailing 63-61, she dove on the court for a loose ball off an inbounds pass, gained control among two Terrier players, and made a pass to Alyssa Ervin, who converted a game tying jump shot with 29 seconds on the clock.  A short while later, she played a role on Furman's game winning shot with one second remaining, setting a screen that helped free Ervin for the game winning basket. 
 
Coyle's double-double versus Wofford was her third in the last four games and SoCon best eighth of the season.  The player of the week scroll is the second of the season for the preseason All-SoCon pick who averages a team leading 14.1 points per game and tops the league in rebounding (9.3 rpg), field goal percentage (.531), and steals (46).  Coyle is averaging a double-double (12.0 ppg, 13.0 rpg) in SoCon action.
 
The victory over Wofford gave Furman its best seven-game start in league play in 20 years (2004-05).
 
The Paladins (14-8, 6-1 SoCon) play host to league front runner Chattanooga this Thursday in a 7:00 p.m. contest at Timmons Arena.