GREENVILLE, S.C. – USC Upstate scored 43 points in the second half against Furman on Sunday afternoon but it was not enough as the Paladins held serve on their home court with an 84-72 win inside Timmons Arena.
 
"It was a tale of two halves," USC Upstate head coach Dave Dickerson said. "The first four minute war was where we found ourselves in an 8-0 hole and we couldn't dig ourselves out of it."

Furman jumped out to an 8-0 lead and forced USC Upstat to call a timeout. The timeout worked as the Spartans offense woke up and both Tommy Bruner and Bryson Mozone had five points by the first media timeout of the half. Following the media timeout the Spartans offense continued to click over the next minute of game time, USC Upstate went on a 6-2 run to close to within four points of Furman at 20-16. In the final 10 minutes of action both teams went back-and-forth as Furman took a 42-29 lead into the halftime break. The officials let the teams play as seven total fouls were called in the opening half.
 
Bryson Mozone led the Spartans with 11 points in the opening half. Noah Gurley led all scorers with 16 points in the first 20 minutes of action.
 
Tommy Bruner and the Spartans came out hot offensively in the second half. USC Upstate opened the half on a 12-8 run as Bruner scored seven of the Spartans points. The Spartans kept up the pressure through the second media timeout of the half and outscored the Paladins 20-12 and cut the lead to five points. With 4:15 remaining in the half the Spartans trailed 72-65 a quick 4-0 run out of the media timeout brought USC Upstate within a trio of points to the Paladins. A 12-1 run by the Paladins in the final minute game put the contest out of reach of the Spartans.

Notes
USC Upstate- Bryson Mozone tied his career high in points on Sunday afternoon with 22 off the bench for the Spartans. Mozone also tied his career high in total field goals (8) and three-point field goals (6).
 
Tommy Bruner finished the game one off his career high with 18 points in the contest. Bruner had a new career high in field goals made (8) and field goals attempted (14). Bruner has now recorded back-to-back double figure games for the first time in his career.
 
Everette Hammond rounded out the Spartans double digit scorers with 17 points in the contest. Hammond has now reached double-figures in five contests this season.
 
Furman- Four players reached double-figures for the Paladins, Noah Gurley led the way with 29 points, Clay Mounce added 16 points, Jordan Lyons contributed 15 points and Alex Hunter rounded out the scoring with 11 points.

UP next for the Spartans
Wednesday, December 18 at S.C. State, 7:00 pm
Next home game: Saturday, December 21 vs. Bob Jones, 1:00 pm

Tickets
Start at $8.00 (adults), $5.00 (ages 3-17); To order, call 864-503-7190 or buy online at upstatespartans.com

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