The Furman Paladins delivered a dominant performance against Mercer, securing a 96-72 victory at Bon Secours Wellness Arena. The offensive explosion was fueled by a career-high 26 points from junior Tom House, who shot a blistering 6-of-9 from beyond the arc. House led five Paladins in double figures, showcasing the team's balanced attack.
The Paladins jumped out to an early 13-2 lead and extended their advantage to 33-12 in the first half. Mercer managed to chip away at the lead, getting as close as 71-64 in the second half, but Furman responded with a decisive 14-2 run to seal the win. House's three-pointer with under four minutes remaining put the game out of reach.
Furman's offensive firepower was on full display, connecting on 18 three-pointers, tying their highest mark in the last three years. They also dished out an impressive 23 assists, highlighting their teamwork and ball movement. Five players reached double figures, with Nick Anderson contributing 18 points (including a perfect 5-5 from three-point range in the first half!), Ben VanderWal and PJay Smith Jr. each scoring 12, and Garrett Hien adding 10. Cooper Bowser also made significant contributions with nine points, six rebounds, five assists, a career-high five blocks, and four steals.
While Mercer shot a respectable 45.3% from the field, they couldn't contain Furman's long-range shooting and balanced scoring. Ahmad Robinson led the Bears with 17 points, followed by Tyler Johnson with 16.
This victory marks Furman's 20th win in their last 22 meetings against Mercer and gives them a season sweep of their home-and-home series. The Paladins now hold a 19-7 overall record and a 7-6 mark in Southern Conference play. The Paladins return home to face UNCG at Bon Secours Wellness Arena on Saturday.