#articleRelated { display: none !important; } Three different Cougars scored in double-figures for the first time since the opening game of the season to defeat the Furman Paladins in women's basketball action this afternoon in front of 225 fans at the John Kresse Arena. The victory was the first for Charleston over Furman since a 64-63 decision Dec. 28, 2000.

The College of Charleston improved its record to 6-7 overall and 3-4 in the Southern Conference, while the Paladins dropped their second straight to fall to 11-5 and 6-3 in the league. The Cougars are 3-0 at the Kresse Arena this season, their best start since opening the home season 4-0 in 2002-03.

Neither team shot well to open the game and at the 12:06 mark of the first half the game was tied 6-6. Jennifer Manard hit two back-to-back three-pointers to take the Cougars to the sudden 12-6 lead with 9:36 to play before Furman responded with a two-pointer by Chrissy Phleps to narrow the margin to four. That margin would vary between four and six with both teams trading shots for the rest of the half. The Cougars would go into the locker room with the six-point 21-15 lead.

Furman shot 23.1 percent in the first half with Charleston shooting 32.1.

The second half saw much of the same as the first half with Charleston inching its way to a double-digit lead on several occasions with its biggest lead coming with 8:08 remaining in the game at 46-31. Furman fought back with a 14-6 run to cut the deficit to seven at 52-45 with 2:16 remaining before Charleston hit key free-throws to increae the margin back for the 10-point 57-47 win.

Furman shot a season-low 29.6 percent from the field but led the Cougars in rebounds, 42-39. Charleston shot 37.3 from the field and went 16-for-20 from the free-throw line for 80.0 percent. Furman was 13-for-24 from the charity stripe this afternoon.

Patrice Bryant led all scorers with 19 points, 15 of which came in the second half. Erika Smith and Marketta Talley followed with 10 points each. Leading Furman was Laney Harris with her 13 points and nine rebounds. Talley paced the team with seven rebounds and went a season-high eight-for-eight from the free-throw line.

The Paladins travel down the road to Statesboro, Ga., Monday, Jan. 17th for a 5:00 PM contest with Georgia Southern, while the Cougars host the Wofford Terriers the same day at 4:30 PM.