Nov. 19, 2004

ATHENS, Ga. - Four Lady Paladins scored in double figures and the team connected on 11-of-23 three-pointers, but it was not enough to overcome the offensive power of fifth-ranked Georgia, as the Lady Paladin basketball team lost its season opener 98-76 on the UGA home court.

Georgia's Rebecca Rowsey scored the first basket in a game in which the Bulldogs never trailed, but Furman senior Laney Harris connected on four first-half three-pointers and freshman Chrissy Phelps added one to keep the Lady Paladins in the game. At the halftime break Furman trailed by 13, following a 4-0 Georgia run to end the half.

The Bulldogs went on a 12-4 run to start the second period, and stretched their lead to 21 on a pair of free throws by Tasha Humphrey, but Furman battled back, pulling to within 10, 70-60, on a Tommi Paris three-pointer with 9:15 left to play. A strong Georgia finish that was ignited by six straight Janese Hardnick points in a 45 second span opened the UGA lead to as many as 24. Another Paris three-pointer, with 1:01 to go, cut the Georgia lead to 20 and a Sara Kate Greene jumper resulted in the final 22-point margin.

"I am very happy with the team's effort tonight," said coach Sam Dixon. "We showed lots of hustle and heart. It is hard to play such a great team and eventually their quickness and size wore us down, but we did not quit."

The Lady Paladins were paced on the night by Jen Nadalin's 16 points, while Paris added 13, Harris totaled 12, and Princess Wells contributed 10. Furman's 11 three-pointers ties the school record for treys in a game, set in 1998 and tied in 2001.

UGA wwas led by freshman Humphrey, who scored 25, and junior Sherril Baker, who totaled 23. Cori Chambers added 17 to the effort and the UGA rebounding corps was paced by Megan Darrah, who claimned seven. The Lady Bulldogs outrebounded Furman 44-24, and claimed 20 offensive boards to Furman's 10.

The Lady Paladins (1-0) return to action on Wednesday, Nov. 24, with a 7 p.m. home game against Gardner-webb.