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First Half Slump Sinks Furman
Feb. 24, 2005
DAVIDSON, North Carolina - Furman's Lady Paladin basketball team was unable to overcome a 15-point halftime deficit Thursday night, and lost a 68-55 decision to the Davidson Wildcats to solidify a No. 3 seed entering the Southern Conference Tournament, March 2-5, in Chattanooga, Tenn.
Twelve first half turnovers and 23.1% (6-for-26) shooting from the field combined to hold Furman's first half points total to 17, while Davidson shot 39.4% (13-of-33) from the field and 38.5% (5-of-13) from three point range and scored 32. Sophomore Tia Washington poured in 12 first-half points for the Wildcats and added four in the second period for 16 on the night. Furman was led in the first half by Chrissy Phelps, who scored five, but no Lady Paladin scored more than one field goal in the opening period.
Though Furman trailed by as many as 18 after the halftime break, the Lady Paladins got 14 second period points from the bench and 18 points in the paint to pull within seven with 5:06 to play. Davidson continued to score with ease, however, and connected on four free throws in the final 1:07 to secure the 13 point win and their first-ever solo second-place finish.
The Lady Paladins were paced by Phelps' 15 points, while Tommi Paris added 13. Jen Nadalin claimed a team-high 11 rebounds, while Phelps dished off a team-best three assists and Paris claimed a team-best three steals.
Three Wildcats scored in double figures on the night, with Katie Hamilton leading the way with 18. Danielle Hemerka grabbed a team-high 12 rebounds, while Hamilton padded her playmaking stats with five assists.
With the win, Davidson improves to 17-10 overall and 14-6 in the Southern Conference, and will play at 5:00 p.m. on Thursday, March 3, in the quarterfinals of the Southern Conference tournament at Maclellan Gym in Chattanooga. Furman, 17-9 overall and 12-7 in league action, will face Elon this Saturday at 4:30 p.m., and will open SoCon Tourney action 30 minutes after the conclusion of the Davidson game on March 3.
