Georgia Southern holds off Furman 82-73

Published Feb. 27, 2014 9:23 p.m. ET

foxsports

GREENVILLE, S.C. (AP) Jelani Hewitt scored 22 points, including the go-ahead layup in the second half, to lead Georgia Southern to an 82-73 win over Furman on Thursday night.

Georgia Southern (13-17, 6-9 Southern Conference) coasted to a 47-34 advantage at the break but had to fend off a Furman rally in the second half that tied the game at 63 on a Stephen Croone layup with 7:55 to go. Hewitt quickly put Georgia Southern back on top with the go-ahead layup that sparked an 8-2 run and built a lead that would be protected in the final minute with 9-of-10 shooting from the free throw line.

Tre Bussey contributed 17 points, Brian Holmes 14 and Curtis Diamond 11 for the Eagles, who shot 53 percent from the field in getting the season sweep over Furman (9-20, 3-13).

Croone's 26 points and seven assists led three Furman players in double figures.