Lady Paladins Win Season Opener 98-95
Nov. 18, 2005
GREENVILLE, South Carolina - Sophomore guard Chrissy Phelps sank a pair of free throws with 26 seconds left to give Furman a five-point cushion in its season opening game against Kennesaw State Friday night in Timmons Arena. The Lady Paladins went on to post a 98-95 victory and Phelps tied her career high with 20 points in the win.
The first half looked very much like the season's opening action as the teams combined for 30 turnovers and 27 missed shots before the halftime break. Sophomore center Jessica Lange connected on seven-of-nine first-half shots to lead all scorers with 14, while Kennesaw State's Shavonder Clarke was nipping at her heels with 13 points for the Owls. Though KSU took a two-point lead on a Clarke jumper with 7:40 to go in the half, the Lady Paladins held on for a 45-43 lead at the break. There were nine first half ties.
Phelps hit a jumper less than one minute into the half to make Furman's lead four, but a minute later the game was tied for the 10th time and KSU took the lead. The 13th and final tie of the game came with 9:39 to play, when Furman freshman Sarah Baker hit a pair of free throws to even the score at 75. Furman regained the lead it had lost at the 17:50 mark on a Lauren Few jumper at 8:51 and held on until the end, taking the three-point decision.
In addition to Phelps' 20 points, Few totaled 15, Jessica Lange added 14, Princess Wells totaled 11, and Sarah Baker and Tommi Paris each contributed 10. In addition, Phelps topped the team in rebounds, with nine, and dished off five assists with six steals. KSU took 85 shots to the Lady Paladins' 63, but made 42.4% compared to the Lady Paladins' 47.6%.
The Owls were paced by Clarke's 26 points, while Nikki Gurley added 24, Jennifer Baker managed 21, and Ngoneh Gaye tallied 10. Clarke also paced the Owls with 15 rebounds and claimed three steals.
Furman takes its 1-0 record on the road with a trip to the Great Alaska Shootout. The Lady Paladins will face Arizona on Tuesday, Nov. 22, at 8 p.m. Alaska Standard Time.