CHARLESTON, SC -
The Citadel's Mike Groselle scored a game-high 24 points to go along with 11 rebounds, marking his 19th career double-double, but it was Furman's late game heroics that allowed the Paladins to come through with a 67-58 victory at McAlister Field House on Saturday evening. Groselle moved into a second place tie with former Citadel standouts J'Mel Everhart (19 career double-doubles) and Regan Truesdale's (10 single-season double-doubles). Meanwhile, the Paladins were energized by the trio of Colin Reddick (12 points), Bobby Austin (11 points) and Brandon Sebirumbi (10 points). The game included a halftime ceremony for Jake Burrows ('40), whose No. 3 jersey was honored placed in the rafters in honor of his contributions to the success of the Bulldog Basketball program.
Groselle, who hit 10-of-12 from the field and 4-of-5 from the free throw line, was the catalyst to a Bulldog offensive unit that closed 20-of-46 (43.5%) from the field. Joining Groselle in scoring was Bo Holston and DeVontae Wright, who finished with nine and seven points respectively. The Dogs hit 15-of-19 (78.9%) from the free throw line for the second straight contest, marking the first time this season that they have come through with consecutive games of shooting better than 70 percent. Groselle manned the post for 11 rebounds, including three on the offensive glass, as the Dogs totaled 30 rebounds. The Citadel slips to 4-17 overall and 1-9 in the Southern Conference following the loss.
Furman edged out the victory behind a 26-of-56 (46.4%) shooting performance that included four 3-pointers. The tandem of Colin Reddick and Sebirumbi were responsible for a team-high five field goals each. The Paladins were successful in 11-of-16 (68.8%) attempts from the free throw line, anchored by Colin Reddick (4-4) and David Brown (2-2). Sebirumbi grabbed a team-high eight rebounds, including two on the offensive glass, giving Furman a 31-24 edge in points in the paint. With the victory, the Paladins improve to 11-10 overall and 5-5 in the conference.
A 3-pointer by Furman's Jordan Loyd opened second half scoring, giving the Paladins a 39-30 lead and despite points from brothers Colin and Charlie Reddick, Groselle scored the first six points of the second half for the Bulldogs to make for a 43-36 Paladin advantage at the 16:04 mark.
Holston followed just under a minute later with a pair of free throws to trim the lead to five, but treys from the Paladins Charlie Reddick and Austin pushed the score to 49-40.
The Citadel answered by scoring six of the next eight points, including a pair of free throws from Marshall Harris III, to make for a 51-46 Furman lead.
After a bucket by Sebirumbi pushed the lead back to seven, The Citadel seemingly turned the momentum with a defensive stop and a 3-pointer by Lawrence Miller to pull within 53-49 at the 8:45 mark.
The Bulldogs continued to sway the game in their favor with an acrobatic shot by Jordan Robertson and a 3-pointer by Wright which made for a 55-54 Furman lead with 6:34 remaining.
After Wright managed a second bucket to keep the Dogs within one, Austin scored three of the next five Furman points to stretch the lead to 62-56 with two minutes left.
Furman outscored The Citadel 5-2 down the stretch to complete the 67-62 victory and in the process win their fifth straight in the all-time series.
The Citadel took advantage of 14 points by Groselle, who closed the half hitting a perfect 5-of-5 from the field and 4-of-4 from the free throw line, to close within six of the Paladins at the intermission. Groselle was joined in scoring by Moore, who finished with five points, keyed by three free throws. The Dogs finished 10-of-19 (52.6%) from the floor and converted 9-of-12 from the charity stripe, marking their most first half free throws since they finished with 10 against Florida Christian (Nov. 21). The Citadel also posted 13 rebounds, highlighted by Groselle's six.
Colin Reddick's 10 points lead three Furman players in scoring, followed closely by Barnes (8 pts.) and Seibrumbi, who was responsible for six points and three rebounds. The Paladins managed 14-of-29 (48.3%) from the field, including a 3-pointer off the hand of David Brown. Furman finished with a 21-12 edge in points in the paint and took advantage of bench points from Barnes and Colin Reddick to outscore the Dogs 21-11.
Behind four points from Groselle, all from the free throw line, The Citadel established an early 6-2 lead just 1:16 into the frame. Behind defensive pressure on the ball and points from Bray and Groselle, the Cadets extended the lead to 10-5 just over two minutes later.
The Citadel maintained its three point lead following four straight points from Moore, before Furman drew within one, 14-13, following a jumper by Colin Reddick.
Groselle answered with an authoritative dunk on a pass from Moore as the Dogs bounced back in front 16-13 with 11:49 remaining in the half. That sparked a 9-2 run by the Cadets that included six points by Groselle and a 3-pointer off the hand of Lawrence Miller for a 24-17 Citadel advantage.
Consecutive scores by Barnes and Colin Reddick brought the Paladins within 24-21 of the lead before Groselle's fifth straight field goal gave the Bulldogs a 26-21 advantage.
Furman scored nine unanswered behind four points by Barnes and their lone 3-pointer of the opening half by Brown to assume the 30-26 lead with 2:57 on the clock.
Holston answered with the next three straight points for The Citadel and along with a free throw by Cosmo Morabbi the Dogs trailed 36-30 as both teams headed to the lockerroom.
The Citadel returns to action next weekend when the Dogs head to North Carolina for meetings with UNC Greensboro (Feb. 2) and Elon (Feb. 4).
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