Furman's Alex Wilkins stole the show at the Pete Hanna Center, scoring 28 points and dishing out 5 assists to lead his team to a 77-73 victory over Samford. The win marked a strong performance by the Paladins, who were able to hold off a late surge by the Bulldogs. Wilkins' impressive outing was complemented by Charles Johnston's 9 points and 14 rebounds, as well as Abijah Franklin's 8 points.
Samford's Dylan Faulkner put up a valiant effort, scoring 19 points and grabbing 11 rebounds, but it wasn't enough to overcome the Paladins' balanced attack. The Bulldogs also received contributions from Will Shaver, who scored 15 points, and Jadin Booth, who added 12 points and 5 assists. Despite these efforts, Samford was unable to overcome a strong first half by Furman, which saw the Paladins take a 40-40 tie into halftime.
The second half was a back-and-forth affair, with both teams trading baskets and playing tenacious defense. However, Furman's ability to convert from the field and limit Samford's scoring opportunities ultimately was the difference. The Paladins' 37 points in the second half were enough to secure the win, despite the Bulldogs' 33 points in the same period.
The game was marked by intense competition and a high level of play from both teams. The fact that it was a non-conference matchup made the win all the more important for Furman, as it looks to bolster its resume for potential tournament consideration. With a current net ranking of 174, the Paladins must continue to perform well in their remaining games to make a strong case for themselves.
For Samford, the loss drops the team to 10-11 on the season, with a net ranking of 266. While the Bulldogs' performance was admirable, the loss will likely have a negative impact on their tournament chances. The game was classified as a Quadrant 4 matchup for both teams, which means that the outcome will have limited implications for their respective resumes.
In the end, Furman's win over Samford will be seen as a solid, if not spectacular, addition to the Paladins' resume. With Wilkins leading the charge, Furman has the potential to make some noise in the tournament conversation. As for Samford, the Bulldogs must regroup and focus on their upcoming games if they hope to make a push for the postseason. The loss to Furman may not be a fatal blow, but it certainly doesn't help the Bulldogs' cause.