ASHEVILLE, N.C. — In a decisive Southern Conference Championship quarterfinal, the No. 5 seed Furman emerged victorious over fourth-seeded Samford with a strong 95-78 win on Saturday night.
Nick Anderson was a key player for Furman (24-8), contributing significantly with 26 points. They are set to face top-seeded Chattanooga (24-8) in the upcoming semifinal on Sunday.
Anderson showcased his shooting skills by hitting 8 of 13 field goals, including an impressive 6 of 9 from beyond the arc, and was nearly perfect from the free-throw line, going 4 of 5. Adding to Furman’s strength, Pjay Smith Jr. delivered 24 points, nine assists, and three steals. Another standout performance came from Tom House, who nailed 6 of 8 shots from the field and hit 6 of 7 three-pointers, accumulating 21 points in total, while also making 3 of 4 free throws.
On Samford’s side, the Bulldogs (22-9) fought hard, with Josh Holloway leading the effort by scoring 21 points and making four steals. Jaden Brownell contributed 16 points, and Trey Fort added 11 points along with grabbing six rebounds.
Furman gained the lead with 16:44 remaining in the game and maintained their advantage until the end. Pjay Smith Jr. played a crucial role in extending the lead with an impressive 20 points in the second half.
