TRAVELERS REST, S.C. (Interstat) — In a Southern Conference clash defined by gritty defense and critical second-half execution, the Wofford Terriers snapped a two-game skid by upsetting the Furman Paladins 74-70 on Saturday night at Timmons Arena.

The victory, secured before a crowd of 2,500, improved Wofford to 12-7 overall and evened its conference record. Furman, which entered as a significant favorite according to national metrics and betting lines, fell to 13-6.

The game’s pivotal sequence arrived not with a single shot, but with a sustained defensive effort that flipped the contest on its head. After trailing 37-30 at halftime, Wofford opened the second period with a decisive 14-2 run, seizing a lead it would not relinquish. The surge was fueled by interior scoring and forced turnovers, hallmarks of the Terriers’ comeback.

Wofford’s defense was the cornerstone of the victory. The Terriers harassed Furman into 12 turnovers, converting those miscues into 18 points. Conversely, Wofford committed only six turnovers, a season-low mark that underscored its disciplined approach. The Terriers also dominated points in the paint, 44-26, overcoming a cold shooting night from beyond the arc where they made just 6 of 22 attempts.

Nils Machowski, a junior guard from Berlin, Germany, led all scorers with 20 points, including three crucial three-pointers. He added two assists and was a steadying presence during the second-half rally. He was joined by Kahmare Holmes of Charlotte, North Carolina, who also scored 20 points, showcasing an aggressive driving game and contributing three assists and a block.

The Terriers’ frontcourt provided essential balance. Brian Sumpter of Columbia, South Carolina, recorded a double-double with 10 points and a game-high 10 rebounds, along with three assists and two steals. Chace Watley of Minneapolis added 15 points, two assists, and a key blocked shot during Wofford’s defining run.

Furman was led by Alex Wilkins of Mattapan, Massachusetts, who scored 19 points and dished out four assists. Abijah Franklin, a local product from Greenville, South Carolina, provided a spark off the bench with 14 points, including a trio of three-pointers. Ben VanderWal of Elmhurst, Illinois, contributed 10 points.

Despite the loss, Furman held advantages in fast-break points and offensive rebounds. The Paladins shot 8 of 29 from three-point range but were unable to sustain the offensive efficiency that built their first-half lead, ultimately posting an offensive rating of 107.5 on 65 possessions. Wofford, by contrast, managed a more efficient 119.0 offensive rating on 62 possessions.

The first half belonged to the Paladins, who used an 11-0 run midway through the period to build a cushion. Franklin’s deep three-pointer at the halftime buzzer sent Furman into the locker room with a seven-point advantage and momentum.

That momentum evaporated quickly after intermission. Wofford’s halftime adjustments focused on ball security and attacking the rim, and the Terriers executed flawlessly to start the half. A layup by Sumpter, free throws from Holmes, and an alley-oop from Machowski to Sumpter highlighted the burst that gave Wofford a 44-39 lead and forced a Furman timeout.

Furman fought to close the gap throughout the remainder of the game but could never draw even. Every Paladin push was answered. When VanderWal hit a three-pointer to pull Furman within 53-52 with just over 12 minutes remaining, Holmes immediately responded with a three of his own on the ensuing possession.

The Paladins made a final charge in the closing minute. Down 69-65, VanderWal tipped in a miss with 28 seconds left. After two free throws from Machowski extended Wofford’s lead to four, Franklin nailed a contested three-pointer with 11 seconds remaining to cut the deficit to 71-70.

Machowski was fouled on the inbounds pass and calmly sank both free throws. Furman’s last chance, a three-point attempt by Charles Johnston, missed, and Sumpter secured the defensive rebound to seal the upset.

The win provides a significant momentum boost for Wofford as it heads into the heart of the conference schedule. The Terriers will host Samford on Wednesday. Furman looks to rebound on the road at The Citadel, also on Wednesday. The two teams are scheduled to meet again in Spartanburg on Feb. 21.