March 4, 2009

Greenville, S.C. - The Furman men's basketball team will open play in the 2009 Southern Conference Tournament on Friday when the sixth-seeded Paladins face the third-seeded Samford Bulldogs in a 9:30 p.m. contest at the McKenzie Arena in Chattanooga, Tenn.

Furman, losers of five straight, enter the tournament at 6-23 overall and 4-16 in the SoCon. Samford finished the regular season 14-15 overall and 9-11 in the league.

The Paladins and Bulldogs split a pair of regular season meetings with Samford downing Furman 71-60 at the Pete Hanna Center in Birmingham, Ala., on January 8, behind 20 points from Bryan Friday. Furman claimed a 63-57 victory in Greenville, S.C., on February 5, behind 18 points from sophomore Jordan Miller.

Furman holds a 4-1 lead in the all-time series against the Bulldogs that dates back to a 25-21 Paladin victory in the 1926 S.I.A.A. Tournament. Friday's game marks the first meeting between the schools at a neutral sight.

The Paladins are making their 56th appearance in the SoCon Tournament and have compiled a 42-49 all-time record at the event. Furman dropped an opening round game 52-37 loss to Elon last season, and have dropped five of their last six SoCon Tournament games overall.

The winner of Friday's game will advance to Saturday's quarterfinal round to face second-seed The Citadel at 9:30 p.m.

Furman SoCon Tournament Notes