Box Score Box Score
SPARTANBURG, S.C. – Junior Lee Stephens recorded 26 points to lead the Furman Paladins to a 69-60 victory over the Wofford women’s basketball team in Southern Conference action on Saturday, February 7.
In the first half, the visiting Paladins opened with a 7-0 run, but the Terriers worked their way back in the game to take a 15-14 lead at the 10:45 mark. Wofford could not hold on for long however, and Furman regained the lead off a three-point shot from Melissa Liebschwager. The Terriers got within one off a three-pointer of their own from Kelly Dwyer, but could not contain the Paladins as they went on to take a seven-point lead heading into halftime.
Furman’s Lee Stephens led all players in the first half with 17 points, while Wofford’s Natalie Gramblin recorded 13 points in the opening half.
The Paladins maintained their lead to start the second half, stretching it into the double digits and leading by 14 with 10:13 remaining. The Terriers answered with an 11-0 run to cut the Paladin lead to three points with four and a half minutes left, but a string of missed shots allowed Furman to regain a double-digit lead and earn the 69-60 win.
Furman was led by Lee Stephens, who turned in her fourth 20+ point game performance this season with 26 total points. Stephens was one of three players to lead the Paladins in rebounds, grabbing seven. Sarah Baker and Shana Booker also notched seven boards. Senior Melissa Liebschwager added 17 points in the winning effort.
As a team, the Terriers set a new school record in blocks with 14 total. Senior Natalie Gramblin led the Terriers with 13 points, while Kate Dempsey added 12, and Mahagony Williams recorded her sixth double-double of the year with 12 points and a season-high 14 rebounds while also turning in five blocks. The Terriers out-rebounded the Paladins 49-38 and also turned in a solid performance from the free-throw line, making 13 of 17 attempts for a 76.5 percentage.
With the win, Furman improves to 11-13 on the season and 5-10 in the Southern Conference while Wofford falls to 4-18 overall and 2-12 in league play. The Terriers will travel to Boone, N.C. on Wednesday, February 11 to take on Appalachian State in a 7:00 p.m. contest.
