ASHEVILLE, N.C. – Bobby Austin scored 17 points as Furman ended its 10-game losing streak by defeating Samford 55-51 Friday in the first round of the Southern Conference tournament.
The 12th-seeded Paladins (7-23) have eliminated the fifth-seeded Bulldogs (11-21) in the first round for three straight years.
Two consecutive baskets by Austin put Furman ahead to stay, 44-42, with 8:05 remaining, and his two free throws with 11 seconds left provided the final margin.
Neither team led by more than six points and they were tied 25-25 at halftime.
Stephen Croone scored 11 points and his steal with 27 seconds left protected a one-point margin. Charlie Reddick added eight points and 10 rebounds for Furman, which will play fourth-seeded Appalachian State in the quarterfinals Saturday.
Tim Williams paced Samford with 15 points and Tyler Hood had 13, but the Bulldogs' leading scorer, Raijon Kelly, made just 1 of 13 shots for three points.
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