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Women's Basketball Wins Season Opener 57-33 Over Francis Marion
Nov. 15, 2006
Greenville, S.C. - Lee Stephens scored 14 points in her first collegiate game as the Furman women's basketball team defeated Francis Marion 57-33 in the regular season opener for both teams at Timmons Arena on Wednesday night.
Stephens, a freshman from Cincinnati, Ohio, was 5-for-6 from the field, including 4-of-5 from three-point range, to reach double-figures in her first contest for the Lady Paladins. She also recorded a team-high four steals and added three assists.
The Lady Paladins forced 24 Francis Marion turnovers, including 16 steals. Furman scored 31 points off the bench, and held a 49-41 advantage in rebounding.
Chrissy Phelps also reach double-figures for Furman, as she netted 11 points, including two treys, and 3-of-4 shooting from the free throw line. Kali Holtfreter led the team with five assists, while Jessica Lange pulled down eight rebounds for the Lady Paladins.
Shavone Mack led Francis Marion with seven points and a game-high 13 rebounds. She also added four blocked shots, while Brittany Young contributed five assists.
Francis Marion jumped out to an early three point lead on a Kirby Marsh three-pointer two minutes into the game, but Furman took the lead on Stephens' first trey of the night, and held the advantage the rest of the evening. A 15-0 Furman run gave Furman a 17-5 lead on a Lange jumpshot with 11:36 remaining. A Brittany Young three-point play with seven seconds left in the first half saw Francis Marion cut the Furman lead to 25-19 at the intermission.
The teams battled back and forth over the first seven minutes of the second half, with Furman leading 29-23 with 13:40 left in the half. Furman then went on a 20-4 run over the next eight minutes on the strength of three-pointers from Stephens and Holtfreter and 4-for-4 shooting from the free throw line from Holtfreter and Phelps.
With the win, Furman improves to 1-0 on the season, while Francis Marion falls to 0-1 on the year. Furman returns to action on Sunday as the Lady Paladins travel to face Louisville at Freedom Hall at 7 p.m.
