Furman 59, S. Carolina St. 55

Published Nov. 24, 2010 12:17 a.m. ET

foxsports

Amu Saaka scored 23 points and Furman rallied from an eight-point halftime deficit to defeat South Carolina State 59-55 on Tuesday night.

The Paladins (3-1) held the Bulldogs to just 22 points in the second half on 26.9-percent shooting (7 of 26), including 0 of 8 from 3-point range.

Trailing 33-25 at halftime, the Paladins opened the second half on a 24-8 run to take control. Saaka scored 14 points during the spurt, capped by two free throws with 5:48 to go for a 49-41 lead.

The Bulldogs (2-2) closed to 51-48, but Darryl Evans hit a 3 to give Furman another cushion.

Saaka finished 5 of 8 from beyond the arc, while Furman hit 10 of 24 3-pointers for the game.

The Paladins were only 8 of 20 from the field in the second half, but six of the baskets were 3s. Furman also made 12 of 20 free throws after the break.

Carrio Bennett led the Bulldogs with 14 points.