Furman used balanced scoring and dominant rebounding to overpower South Carolina State, 67-43, at Timmons Arena on Thursday.

Sydney James and Kate Johnson scored 12 points apiece, and Furman (8-6) used strong defense to smother the Bulldogs’ women’s basketball squad.

James, a senior forward who entered the contest averaging 5.0 points per game, enjoyed her best shooting night of the season by connecting on all four field goal attempts, including 2/2 from the 3-point range, and both free throws for her 12 points in just 18 minutes of play.

Whistled for two early fouls, Johnson scored her 12 points in the second half, making good on 5/8 shots and a pair of free throws. The junior forward also contributed six rebounds in just 16 minutes of work.

Furman led 15-9 after a period and limited the Bulldogs to just six second-quarter points to take a 27-15 lead into halftime. 

The Paladins opened the second half with a 10-2 to run to take total command, going up 37-17 on a Johnson layup midway through the period.

The Paladins forced a number of shot clock violations and 24 turnovers by the Bulldogs — the second highest total of the season by a Furman opponent.  S.C. State (1-13) shot .395 for the game but managed only 43 attempts from the floor compared to the Paladins’ 61.

Jada Session added 11 points to go along with a game-high nine rebounds, and Sydney Ryan finished with 10 points for Furman, which outscored S.C. State 21-0 from three-point range.

Furman continued its strong rebounding work, posting a 40-30 edge on the glass.

The Paladins’ next game is a 1 p.m. Jan. 31 home contest against North Carolina Central.

Take a look at the stats here.

Furman signed 12 early football recruits on Wednesday as Clay Hendrix’s program added

three offensive linemen, two defensive linemen, two wide receivers, two defensive backs, a tight end, quarterback and running back.

Two of the three offensive linemen and the Paladins’ newest defensive interior lineman are from the Upstate.  They include Broome High School’s Steven O’Dell and T.L. Hanna’s Chase Gregorek — both offensive tackles — and Greenville High School’s Bruce Knauber, a standout defensive tackle for the 4A Upstate finalist Red Raiders.  All three Palmetto state products played in South Carolina’s recent North-South all-star game in Myrtle Beach.

Furman posted a 10-3 record this season and claimed the program’s 15th Southern Conference championship en route to a quarterfinal appearance in the FCS playoffs.

The Paladins’ season ended with a 35-28 overtime loss at second-ranked Montana in quarterfinal round playoff action on Dec. 8.

2023 Furman Football Signees (Dec. 20-22 NCAA Early Signing Period)

Noah Akinsola, OL, 6-5, 285, Fr., Frisco, Texas (Reedy H.S.)

Malaki Dobbins, DE, 6-3, 235, Fr., Elm City, N.C. (Southern Nash H.S.)

Chase Gregork, OL, 6-4, 275, Fr., Anderson (T.L. Hanna H.S.)

Gavin Hall, RB, 5-9, 185, Fr., Gainesville, Ga. (Gainesville H.S.)

Trey Hedden, QB, 6-3, 220, Fr., Tampa, Fla. (Tampa Catholic H.S.)

Devin Hester, Jr., WR, 5-10, 165, Athens, Ga. ( Cedar Shoals H.S.)

Den Johnson, DB, 6-1, 175, Fr., Pelham, Ga. (Pelham H.S.)

Bruce Knauber, DL, 6-2, 295, Fr., Greenville (Greenville H.S.)

Jordan Miller, DB, 5-11, 170, Fr., Conyers, Ga. (Arabia Mountain H.S.)

Steven O’Dell, OL, 6-7, 297, Fr., Jonesville (Broome H.S.)

Jackson Pryor, TE, 6-5, 210, Fr., Boone, N.C. (Watauga H.S.)

Santino Varvel, WR, 6-3, 180, Fr., Goodyear, Ariz. (Canyon View H.S.)

Meanwhile, the aforementioned team, much of which is moving on, continues to reap honors from its second fine season in a row.

Offensive guard Jacob Johanning and cornerback Travis Blackshear are AFCA All-Americans, Johanning on the first team and Blackshear the second.

They’re also on the AP and Stats Perform All-America lists for FCS players.

Simpsonville product Johanning was selected as the SoCon’s top offensive lineman in 2023 by capturing the Jacobs Blocking Award. He has declared for the NFL draft.

Blackshear, a three-time All-SoCon pick from Savannah, Ga., finished his career with 200 tackles and 13 interceptions. He returned three interceptions for touchdowns.

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