Furman’s 80–67 victory over longtime rival Wofford was more than just another conference win.
Entering the night, Furman was already building momentum, but the way it handled Wofford elevated confidence throughout the program. The win pushed the Paladins to a commanding 10–2 record in SoCon play and extended their winning streak over the Terriers to four games.
A Fast Start Sets the Tone
From the opening tip, the Paladins scored the first eight points of the game, with Jalen Slawson accounting for six of them, immediately putting Wofford on its heels.
That early burst quickly turned into a runaway first half. Furman raced out to a 19-point lead, fueled by efficient shooting and good ball movement. By the time the halftime buzzer sounded, the Paladins held a commanding 42–25 advantage.
The numbers told the story of Furman’s dominance. The Paladins shot 52.9% from the field in the first half and knocked down six three-pointers. On the other end, their defensive pressure disrupted Wofford’s rhythm and forced mistakes that led directly to points.
Weathering the Second-Half Push
Wofford did fight back. The Terriers opened the second half with eight straight points, trimming the deficit to 42–33 and briefly shifting momentum. But championship-caliber teams respond, and Furman did exactly that.
Alex Williams halted the surge by capping a decisive 10–2 run with a three-pointer from the wing, pushing the lead back to 52–35 with just over 15 minutes remaining. Each time Wofford threatened, Furman answered.
Late in the game, the Terriers mounted one final push, pulling within 70–60. The response was emphatic. Garrett Hien drilled a three from the top of the key, and moments later Williams stole the ball near midcourt and finished with a two-handed dunk that effectively sealed the outcome.
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Balanced Effort
Slawson, who had been named the SoCon Player of the Month for January, led the way with 16 points and nine rebounds. Williams added 15 points on an efficient 6-of-10 shooting night, while sophomore JP Pegues chipped in 13 points and seven assists. Fifth-year senior Mike Bothwell rounded out the double-figure scorers with 10 points.
Just as telling was Furman’s discipline. The Paladins committed only six turnovers while forcing Wofford into 15, turning those miscues into a decisive 21–4 advantage in points off turnovers. Furman also held edges on the glass and in the paint, outworking the Terriers in key areas.
After not attempting a single free throw in the first half, Furman went 8-for-9 at the line in the second, showing composure when the game tightened. While Wofford shot a solid 50% from the floor, missed free throws and turnovers kept the Terriers from ever fully closing the gap.
Big Conference Win
In hindsight, this February night was a preview of what Furman would become. The Paladins finished the regular season 15–3 in conference play, earning first place and entering the SoCon Tournament with confidence and momentum.
That confidence carried through postseason play. Furman defeated Mercer and Western Carolina to reach the championship game, where it toppled defending tournament champion Chattanooga to secure its first NCAA Tournament appearance since 1980. The run did not stop there. Furman stunned Virginia in the first round before falling to eventual national runner-up San Diego State.
Paladin Stars
The 2023 season also represented the culmination of a decade-long ascent for the program. Slawson earned Southern Conference Player of the Year honors, averaging 15.6 points, 7.1 rebounds, and filling every column of the stat sheet. Bothwell led the league in scoring at 17.7 points per game. Both were consensus first-team all-conference selections and finalists for the Lou Henson National Player of the Year Award.
Games like February 4, 2023, were the building blocks that made such accolades possible.
The Point After
Looking back, February 4, 2023 serves as a reminder of how one game can define a season’s trajectory. Furman’s win over Wofford was not just about an 80–67 final score, but about belief, execution, and momentum. It captured the essence of a team on the brink of history and marked a night when the Paladins proved they were ready for something bigger.
