Austin scores 17, Furman beats Samford 55-51 to oust Bulldogs in 1st round for 3rd year in row

Published January 13, 2015

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.

URL

https://www.foxnews.com/sports/austin-scores-17-furman-beats-samford-55-51-to-oust-bulldogs-in-1st-round-for-3rd-year-in-row