Fowler, Rafferty help Furman hold off Gardner-Webb, 68-65
BOILING SPRINGS, N.C. (AP) Daniel Fowler hit a late 3-pointer, Matt Rafferty added two critical free throws and Furman held on for a 68-65 win over Gardner-Webb on Saturday.
Devin Sibley made 8 of 11 from the free-throw line and finished with 20 points, while Kris Acox scored 18 on 8-of-12 shooting for Furman.
Two free throws by Sibley gave Furman (6-4) a 45-30 lead with 17:03 to play, but Liam O'Reilly hit two 3-pointers during a 20-1 run that was capped by LaQuincy Rideau's conventional 3-point play and gave Gardner-Webb a four-point lead with nine minutes to play.
There were five lead changes and three ties from there before a layup by Acox and two free throws by Sibley gave the Paladins the lead, 63-59, for good with 1:10 remaining. O'Reilly hit a 3-pointer 11 seconds later but Fowler answered with another with 31 seconds to play and Rafferty's free throws with seven seconds left sealed it.
Tyrell Nelson led Gardner-Webb (5-5) with 19 points on 8-of-10 shooting.
