Nick Anderson put on a show Wednesday night, scoring 19 of his game-high 30 points in the final 2:17 of regulation and overtime to lead Furman to a thrilling 84-75 victory over Western Carolina at Davis Field House. The win marks Furman's 11th straight over the Catamounts in Greenville.
The game was a back-and-forth affair from the start, featuring nine lead changes and several significant runs. Western Carolina held a slim 33-31 advantage at halftime, and extended their lead to eight points in the second half. However, with under two minutes remaining and Furman trailing by six, Anderson took over. He drilled back-to-back three-pointers to tie the game, setting the stage for a dramatic finish.
After a Western Carolina layup and a Furman free throw, the Catamounts missed a free throw, giving Anderson one last chance. He drove to the basket and scored with eight seconds on the clock, sending the game into overtime. Western Carolina's last-second three-point attempt fell short, forcing the extra period.
In overtime, Anderson continued his dominance, scoring four of Furman's first five points. A three-pointer by Tom House extended the Paladins' lead to seven, and Anderson sealed the deal with a jumper and two more free throws.
While Anderson was the clear star of the night, Garrett Hien also had a monster game for Furman, recording 13 points and a career-high 15 rebounds. PJay Smith Jr. contributed 15 points as well. For Western Carolina, Marcus Kell led the way with a career-high 29 points, and Bernard Pelote added 13 points and 13 rebounds.
Despite the loss, Western Carolina actually out-rebounded Furman 48-47. However, Furman capitalized on their offensive boards, scoring 13 second-chance points. The Paladins also shot well from the free-throw line, converting 24 of 35 attempts.
Furman (18-6, 6-5 SoCon) will look to carry this momentum into their next game, a crucial Southern Conference matchup against Chattanooga on Saturday at McKenzie Arena. The game is set for a 4:30 p.m. tip-off and will be streamed on ESPN+. The Paladins return home to Greenville to face Mercer at Bon Secours Wellness Arena in one week.