Furman Tops Campbell 64-52 In Season Opener

GREENVILLE, S.C. – Campbell won the battle of the boards, but Furman claimed the battle on the scoreboard in posting a 64-52 victory in the season opener for both teams Friday night at Timmons Arena.

Tony Carter and Ben Earle scored 16 points each and Eric Webb added 13 points for the Paladins, who knocked down 10 three-point field goals.

Anthony Atkinson led Campbell with 12 points on 5-10 shooting, plus five rebounds and three assists from his point guard spot. Diego Aguiar and Reggie Bishop added eight each for the Camels, who held a 37-27 advantage on the glass, including a 16-6 edge on the offensive boards.

Comerlee Poole came off the bench to score points and grab a game-high 11 rebounds for CU, which held a 36-16 edge on points in the paint and a 19-7 margin in second-chance points.

Earle's 16-point effort marked a career-high for the 6-foot-5 senior, who canned 6-of-9 shots, including 3-of-6 three-pointers.

Aguiar's move in the paint brought Campbell within 44-40 with 8:28 left in the contest, but the Camels were unable to draw closer. Furman made 7-of-10 free throws in the second half and held Campbell to just 37 percent shooting in the final stanza to claim the win.

The Paladins jumped to a 20-8 lead in the first 8:13, hitting four treys in the span. Campbell answered with a 15-3 spurt to knot the score at 23 on Atkinson's triple with 4:05 left in the opening half.

An Atkinson jumper and trey gave the Camels a 30-28 edge, but Earle's old-fashioned 3-point play and Webb's three at the buzzer put the Paladins in front 34-30 at the break.

Furman shot 48.9 percent (23-47) from the floor on the night and made 10-of-25 (.400) threes. Campbell finished the contest shooting 41.8 percent (23-55) from the floor, but hit only 1-of-8 (.125) from the line, while connecting on 5-of-14 triples (.357).

Campbell hosts William & Mary Tuesday at 7:00 p.m. [ Box Score ]