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Free Throws Help Furman Hold Off Bowling Green, 63-59
Nov. 19, 2006
Bowling Green, Ohio - Eric Webb and Gerad Punch each buried a pair of free throws in the final 20 seconds to help Furman hold off Bowling Green 63-59 before 1,109 fans at Anderson Arena in Bowling Green, Ohio, Sunday afternoon.
Furman led by 12 points with 7:47 remaining, but Bowling Green's Martin Samarco keyed a 10-0 Falcons' run to cut the lead to 55-53 with 4:16 left. After trading two pointers, Eric Marschall tipped back a Samarco miss with 2:35 remaining to tie the game for the first time all night.
Following three straight free throws by the Paladins, Samarco converted a short pull-up jumper from the right baseline and drew the foul with eight seconds left. Samarco missed the free throw after a Furman time out, and Punch sunk two free throws after being fouled to put Furman ahead 62-59 with seven seconds on the clock.
Jadee Jones committed a foul as soon as the Falcons brought the ball in the front court. Ryne Hamblet missed both shots at the charity stripe, and Alex Opacic grabbed the rebound to seal the victory for Furman who led wire to wire..
"Our seniors really stepped up big for us tonight. It is as simple as that," said Furman head coach Jeff Jackson. "They make things easier on us by handling game situations real well and playing with a lot of savvy."
"Anytime you are on the road, no matter who you are playing, you can expect the home team to make a comeback," said Jackson "We were able to score a few baskets to keep our heads above water down the stretch."
Furman jumped out to a 29-20 halftime lead behind Punch's three treys in the opening 20 minutes. Robby Bostain netted 15 of his team-high 19 points in the second half while grabbing 10 rebounds to notch his second double-double of the season.
Samarco scored a game-high 27 on 10-of-17 shooting from the field and 6-of-8 at the foul line for the Falcons. Bowling Green held Furman to 39.6% (19-48) from the field, but made 20-of-25 from the charity stripe. The Falcons shot 42% from the field, but just 2-of-12 from three-point range and 15-of-26 from the foul line. Webb scored 12 and Punch added 11 to join Bostain in double figures.
Webb sunk two free throws early in the second half to become just the 36th payer in Paladin basketball history to reach 1,000 career points. He joins teammate Robby Bostain who achieved the feat last February.
Furman, 3-1 on the season, returns to action Wednesday night when it travels to North Dakota State for an 8:00 p.m. contest.
