CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. (Interstat) — In a critical early-season Southern Conference clash, the Furman Paladins delivered a decisive road performance, stifling the Chattanooga Mocs 78-67 on Wednesday night at McKenzie Arena.

The game was ultimately defined by Furman’s superior offensive efficiency and a commanding first-half defensive effort that the Mocs could never fully overcome. Despite a valiant 25-point effort from Chattanooga’s Jordan Frison, the Paladins’ balanced attack, led by 21 points from Australian big man Charles Johnston and 17 from Tom House, proved too consistent.

Furman established control from the opening tip, leveraging its size and precision. Johnston won the opening jump ball and scored the game’s first basket on a layup just 12 seconds in, setting an immediate tone. While Chattanooga’s Tate Darner answered with a three-pointer, the Paladins methodically built a lead. Their defense held the Mocs to just 30 first-half points on 34.4% shooting, while Furman shot 46.7% to take a 39-30 advantage into halftime.

The most important sequence of the game came early in the second half, when Chattanooga threatened to rally. After a three-pointer from Chattanooga’s Brennan Watkins cut the Furman lead to six points, the Paladins responded with a devastating 7-0 run. It was capped by a Charles Johnston dunk off a feed from Alex Wilkins, forcing a Chattanooga timeout with 17:45 remaining and the lead ballooned to 13 points. The Mocs would never get the deficit back to single digits, as every mini-run was answered by a Furman basket.

Furman’s offensive execution was the story, posting an offensive rating of 115.6 points per 100 possessions compared to Chattanooga’s 94.6. The Paladins were efficient from deep, hitting 11 of 26 three-point attempts, and capitalized at the free-throw line, making 15 of 20. Chattanooga, while making 13 threes, was hampered by a cold night inside the arc and attempted only eight free throws.

Beyond Johnston and House, Furman’s Asa Thomas provided 16 points and a key defensive presence. Alex Wilkins orchestrated the offense with a game-high seven assists. For Chattanooga, Frison’s scoring kept the Mocs within theoretical reach, and Teddy Washington added 15 points off the bench, but the team’s 12 turnovers and inability to generate consistent interior offense against Furman’s defense were pivotal.

The win improves Furman to 11-5 overall and provides a positive start to the conference slate following an overtime loss to Western Carolina in its previous outing. Chattanooga falls to 6-10, having lost three straight games.

A crowd of 3,487 watched the contest, which saw Furman beat the pregame spread as a 1.5-point favorite. The combined score of 145 points narrowly exceeded the over/under line of 145.5.

Furman looks to continue its momentum when it hosts Virginia Military Institute on Saturday. Chattanooga will aim to regroup as it prepares to face Samford at home on the same day. The two teams are scheduled to meet again in Greenville, South Carolina, on Feb. 1.