ORANGEBURG, S.C. (AP) — Amu Saaka scored 23 points and Furman rallied from an eight-point halftime deficit to defeat South Carolina State 59-55 on Tuesday night.
The Paladins (3-1) held the Bulldogs to just 22 points in the second half on 26.9-percent shooting (7 of 26), including 0 of 8 from 3-point range.
Trailing 33-25 at halftime, the Paladins opened the second half on a 24-8 run to take control. Saaka scored 14 points during the spurt, capped by two free throws with 5:48 to go for a 49-41 lead.
The Bulldogs (2-2) closed to 51-48, but Darryl Evans hit a 3 to give Furman another cushion.