Box Score GREENVILLE, S.C. --Despite a four-point lead with one minute remaining, the Terrier women’s basketball team could not hold on as Furman defeated Wofford 70-69 in Southern Conference action on Saturday.
The Terriers came out on fire to start the game, scoring seven points before Furman managed one off a free throw from Katie Johnson. The Paladins then went on a run of their own, scoring 11 unanswered points, giving them a four-point advantage before sophomore Mahagony Williams stopped the run with a layup.
The two teams traded baskets, with neither team leading by more than four points until the 10 minute mark, when Wofford used a three-pointer from Natalie Gramblin and a layup from freshman April Moorhouse to take an eight-point lead, their largest of the half.
The Paladins had an answer in the form of two layups from leading scorer Lee Stephens, who the Terriers managed to hold scoreless in the first half until her four points at the 8:14 and 7:47 marks, respectively. A three-pointer from Kali Holtfreter pulled the Paladins within one.
The remaining five minutes of the half saw four tied scores, with a good jumper from Kathlyn Varno putting the Terriers up by one heading into half time. The first half saw Wofford outrebound the Paladins 22 to 15, and outscore Furman in the paint 20-10.
After a basket from each team to start the second half, Wofford slowly managed a six-point lead. Two three-pointers from Furman’s Melissa Liebschwager tied the game for the sixth time, and neither team could gain an edge until the Terriers managed four-point leads at both 5:42 and 4:29.
Furman quickly tied the score yet again, but Wofford responded with a quick two points from Kelly Dwyer, and the Terriers would hold onto the lead from 2:55 until a last-second Wofford turnover gave Furman the ball and Shana Booker converted on a layup to put the Paladins up 70-69. Despite a last shot from Natalie Gramblin that grazed the bottom of the net, the Terriers did not have enough time to respond, giving Furman the 70-69 win.
Five Paladins scored in double-digits, with Kali Holtfreter and Melissa Liebschwager leading the charge with 14 points apiece. Senior Katie Johnson added 13 points and eight rebounds, and Lee Stephens managed 13 points before fouling out in the second half. Senior Sarah Baker also notched double-digit points with 10 for the Paladins.
For the Terriers, sophomore Mahagony Williams recorded her second double-double of the week and fourth of the season with 11 points and 10 rebounds. Kate Dempsey added 10 points, and Natalie Gramblin led the team with seven assists and contributed eight points. Wofford was plagued by turnovers, committing 26, which Furman converted for 32 points during the contest.
With the win, Furman improves to 8-6 on the season and 2-3 in Southern Conference play, while Wofford falls to 1-11 and 0-5 in league contests. The Terriers will return home on Monday, January 5 to host Southern Virginia in a 6:00 p.m. game.
