JOHNSON CITY, Tenn. (Interstat) — Clare Coyle scored 19 points as Furman held off a late rally to defeat East Tennessee State 72-70 in a women’s basketball game Thursday night at ETSU Athletic Center. The Paladins built a 41-28 halftime lead, but the Lady Buccaneers stormed back, outscoring Furman 42-31 in the second half. Anala Nelson led all scorers with 22 points for East Tennessee State, and Carmen Richardson added 16. Kyraha Parnell scored 15 for Furman. East Tennessee State had a chance to tie in the final seconds but missed a pair of free throws. Furman secured the rebound to seal the road victory. The Paladins improved to 9-7 overall, while the Lady Buccaneers fell to 7-9.

JOHNSON CITY, Tenn. (Interstat) — In a game defined by a dominant start and a desperate finish, the Furman Paladins held off a furious second-half rally by the East Tennessee State Lady Buccaneers to secure a 72-70 victory in a Southern Conference women’s basketball clash on Thursday night at ETSU Athletic Center. The Paladins, who led by as many as 16 points in the first half, saw their advantage evaporate completely in the final minutes before making the decisive plays in the closing seconds to improve to 9-7 overall. The Lady Buccaneers, who fought back from a 41-28 halftime deficit, fell to 7-9. The most critical sequence of the game unfolded in the final 24 seconds with the score tied at 70. After East Tennessee State’s Anala Nelson missed a potential go-ahead jumper, Furman secured the defensive rebound and called a timeout with 3 seconds remaining. Out of the stoppage, the Paladins executed a play that resulted in Alyssa Ervin sinking a mid-range jump shot from the left wing with 0.2 seconds left, providing the final margin. The Lady Buccaneers’ last-gasp inbounds pass was deflected as time expired. Furman’s victory was forged in a blistering first quarter, where they outscored East Tennessee State 22-10. The Paladins shot efficiently early, built a 30-14 advantage in points in the paint for the game, and capitalized on Lady Buccaneers’ mistakes, scoring 15 points off turnovers. Clare Coyle of Furman was instrumental, scoring a team-high 19 points, including a crucial tip-in during the fourth-quarter rally and several key baskets to stem East Tennessee State runs. The Lady Buccaneers’ comeback was fueled by improved shooting after the break and a relentless effort on the offensive glass, where they held a 12-5 advantage, leading to 15 second-chance points. Anala Nelson led all scorers with 22 points for East Tennessee State, while Carmen Richardson added 16, including a trio of three-pointers during the second-half surge that brought the home team back. Despite the Lady Buccaneers posting a more efficient offensive rating of 102.3 on 68 possessions compared to Furman’s 97.6 on 74 trips, the Paladins’ superior accuracy at the free-throw line proved vital. Furman converted 9 of 10 attempts, while East Tennessee State struggled, making only 12 of 22. Kyraha Parnell provided significant support for Furman with 15 points and three assists, and Ervin’s clutch shooting netted her 18 points. For East Tennessee State, Jaidyn Harper contributed 14 points. The game was a tale of two halves. Furman’s early defensive pressure and offensive execution built a comfortable lead, but the Lady Buccaneers chipped away, winning the third quarter 20-15 and the fourth 22-16. They finally drew even at 70 on Nelson’s free throw with 47 seconds left, setting the stage for the dramatic finish. The Paladins will look to carry the momentum into their next conference game at Chattanooga on Saturday. East Tennessee State, meanwhile, will aim to rebound at home against Wofford on Saturday.

Preview: Furman Paladins at East Tennessee State Lady Buccaneers JOHNSON CITY, Tenn. (Interstat) — Two teams seeking momentum to climb above .500 will meet Thursday when the Furman Paladins visit the East Tennessee State Lady Buccaneers in a Southern Conference women’s basketball matchup. The game, scheduled for Jan. 8, 2026, at the ETSU Athletic Center, features teams with nearly identical records. Furman enters at 8-7 overall, while ETSU is 7-8. The Paladins are coming off a dominant 106-21 victory over non-Division I opponent Bob Jones on Saturday. In that game, guard Raina McGowens posted 15 points, five rebounds and seven assists in just 17 minutes. McGowens has been a key facilitator, averaging 13 points over her last five contests, including a 13-point effort in a win over Charleston Southern on Dec. 19. Furman’s season has been marked by explosive offensive performances against lower-tier opponents but struggles against high-major competition, including losses to Florida (82-66) and Clemson (76-58). The Lady Buccaneers countered with a 72-47 win over King last Friday, led by Carmen Richardson’s nine points. Richardson has been a consistent scorer for ETSU, reaching double figures in three of her last five games, including a 10-point, four-rebound performance in a narrow 51-50 road win at Charlotte on Dec. 21. ETSU’s defense has shown strength, holding opponents to 50 points or fewer in three of its last four victories. However, the team has faced offensive challenges against power-conference foes, falling 73-55 at Virginia Tech last month. This contest represents the start of Southern Conference play for both squads and will be the first of a regular-season series. The teams are scheduled to meet again in Greenville, South Carolina, on Feb. 7. The matchup pits Furman’s high-scoring attack, which has topped 100 points four times this season, against an ETSU defense that has proven capable of grinding out low-scoring wins. The play of guards McGowens and Richardson could be pivotal in setting the tempo. Following this game, Furman will travel to face Chattanooga on Saturday. ETSU will remain at home to host Wofford on the same day.