Furman emerged victorious over Wofford, prevailing 76-67 on the road at Jerry Richardson Indoor Stadium. The margin of victory was 9 points, a significant gap that ultimately separated the two teams. Furman, ranked 198th in the NET, held a narrow lead at halftime, 43-36, and managed to maintain control in the second half, outscoring Wofford 33-31. Wofford, ranked 232nd in the NET, was unable to overcome the deficit.
While both teams were competitive, the final score suggests that Furman's consistent performance throughout the game ultimately gave them the edge. Wofford struggled to close the gap, despite a strong first half that saw them take an early lead. Furman's ability to maintain their advantage in the second half proved to be the decisive factor, as they secured their victory and moved ahead in the standings.
Asa Thomas led the way for Furman, shooting an efficient 6-of-9 from the field and a perfect 6-of-7 from beyond the arc, en route to 18 points. His accuracy from three-point range was a key factor in Furman's victory, as he hit six of his seven attempts. Thomas's stat line, however, was somewhat one-dimensional, with no rebounds or assists to speak of.
In contrast, Alex Wilkins provided a more well-rounded performance, contributing 15 points, four rebounds, and five assists. Wilkins shot a respectable 5-of-15 from the field, but struggled from three-point range, converting just one of his five attempts. His ability to draw fouls and make his free throws, however, was a significant asset, as he went 4-of-4 from the line. Meanwhile, Cooper Bowser chipped in with a solid 13 points and seven rebounds, but his scoring came mostly from the free throw line, where he was 3-of-6.
Kahmare Holmes led Wofford's scoring effort with 20 points, converting on 50% of his field goal attempts. However, his struggles at the free throw line, where he made just 6 of 13 attempts, likely prevented him from further elevating his scoring output. His supporting contributions, including 5 rebounds and 3 assists, were solid but not enough to propel Wofford to victory.
Cayden Vasko had a mixed outing, recording 13 points and a team-high 10 rebounds. His 3 three-pointers were a bright spot, but his 5 missed attempts from beyond the arc and 1-of-10 showing from distance were notable weaknesses. Additionally, Vasko's limited contributions in other facets, including assists and blocks, failed to compensate for his shooting struggles. Rex Stirling's 10 points and 4 rebounds were serviceable, but his limited involvement in the game's flow and decision-making process prevented him from making a significant impact.
Charles Johnston's performance was notable for its marked discrepancy in rebounding, as he pulled down just five boards compared to his season average of 9.2 RPG. This represents a significant decline in his usual production on the glass, and is a departure from his typically dominant play in the paint. Meanwhile, Nils Machowski struggled to find his footing from beyond the arc, going just 2-9 on three-point attempts, a stark contrast to his season average of 3.7 made three-pointers per game.
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Final
The pre-game prediction, which favored Wofford by 0.8 points, failed to account for Furman's dominant shooting performance, which ultimately proved to be the decisive factor in the game. The Paladins' eFG% of 60.6% was a significant departure from their season average of 54.4%, indicating that they were able to find their mark from beyond the arc and in the paint.
The discrepancy in three-point shooting percentages between the two teams also played a crucial role in the outcome. Furman's 52.9% three-point shooting was a stark contrast to Wofford's 26.9%, highlighting the Paladins' ability to stretch the Terriers' defense and create scoring opportunities. Additionally, Furman's lower OREB rate of 16.7% was a notable difference, as it suggests that they were able to control the tempo of the game and limit Wofford's opportunities to grab second-chance points.
Furman's victory, its 18th of the season, has bolstered its NCAA Tournament resume, but it remains a long shot for a high seeding. The Paladins' NET ranking has risen to #198, with an empty Quad 1 slate, and a 0-4 mark against Quad 2 opponents. However, their Quad 3 win against Wofford will be a notable addition, but it may not be enough to crack the top four seeds in the tournament. Meanwhile, Wofford's loss drops its NET ranking to #232 and leaves the Terriers with a fragile resume, now 0-3 against Quad 2 opponents, and 1-3 overall against Quad 1 and 2 foes, severely jeopardizing their at-large chances. This defeat will likely relegate Wofford to the bubble's periphery, where it will face an uphill battle for a tournament berth.