Tuesday, December 20, 2011

Presbyterian 75 Furman 71

Clinton, SC. The Paladins (6-5, 0-2) gave up a four-point halftime lead early in the second frame and lost to the Blue Hose (5-5) for the first time in the last five meetings in a proverbial "trap" game against red-shirt-senior-laden team in a high-school-caliber gym in between trips to Western Kentucky last Saturday and UGA this Friday. Senior Brandon Sebirumbi led Furman in scoring with 20 points. Senior Bryson Barnes added 10 points.

Update. Graham was in uniform for the first time this season and hopes to return to full-contact practice next week.

Saturday, December 17, 2011

Furman 76 Western Kentucky 63

Bowling Green, KY. The Paladins (6-4, 0-2) took a 10-point lead into the locker room at halftime and made it stand up for a 13-point win over the Hilltoppers (4-8).

Furman was led by senior Bryson Barnes who came off the bench in his first action of the season to record a double-double by leading all scorers with 26 points (including 3-3 from behind the arc and 11-14 from the free-throw line) and pulling down 11 rebounds. Graham's roommate, Richard Brown, contributed 11 points and seven assists (with only one turnover), and senior Brandon Sebirumbi added 10 points, including 6-6 from the line.

The Paladins return home tomorrow before traveling to Presbyterian on Tuesday night and the University of Georgia on Friday night.

Sunday, December 11, 2011

Furman 85 Jacksonville 79

Timmons Arena. The Paladins (5-4, 0-2) built a 16-point in the second half and hung on from there to defeat the Dolphins (2-6) and even the series between the two schools at 7-7.

Furman was led by Graham's roommate Richard Brown, Bobby Austin, and Charlie Reddick, each of whom contributed 16 points. Rich and Bobby combined to shoot 16-20 from the free-throw line, most of them coming in the final minutes of the game when the Paladins turned back a Dolphin surge that cut the lead to as few as three points.

Furman now hits the road for four games over the holiday break and returns to home action against the Citadel on January 5.

Injury Update. Graham reports that trainer Steve Hopkins clear him to return to full practice this week. Or maybe next.