TRAVELERS REST, S.C. (Interstat) — In a game defined more by defensive pressure and offensive inefficiency than scoring runs, the Furman Paladins methodically dispatched the Virginia Military Institute Keydets 69-48 in a Southern Conference men’s basketball matchup Saturday at Timmons Arena.

The contest, played before a crowd of 2,447, never saw the Paladins trail after the opening minute. They built a 34-27 halftime lead and steadily expanded it in the second half, holding VMI to just 21 points after intermission. The victory improved Furman to 12-5 overall, while VMI fell to 6-11.

The most critical phase of the game occurred not in a flurry of points, but in a stifling defensive effort by Furman that capitalized on VMI’s profound shooting struggles. The Keydets finished the game shooting a frigid 26.8% from the floor, making only 15 of 56 attempts. Their offensive rating of 76.0 points per 100 possessions underscored a afternoon of frustration. While VMI’s aggressive defense forced 20 Furman turnovers, leading to 25 points, they could not overcome their own inability to score consistently.

Furman, while not sharp offensively either with a 42.9% shooting mark, did enough, led by Alex Wilkins. The guard from Mattapan, Massachusetts, scored a game-high 17 points, including three 3-pointers, and added four assists. His backcourt mate, Eddrin Bronson of Tampa, Florida, provided 16 points and two blocks. Ben VanderWal of Elmhurst, Illinois, contributed 11 points and a game-high five offensive rebounds, part of a 15-11 team advantage on the offensive glass that helped fuel Furman’s 22-10 dominance in paint scoring.

VMI was led by TJ Johnson of Belton, Texas, who scored 15 points. Walker Andrews of Fincastle, Virginia, added 10 points off the bench. The Keydets’ defensive activity was evident with 16 steals and 16 assists on their 15 made baskets, but their 12 turnovers and poor shooting doomed any comeback attempt.

After Furman took a seven-point lead into halftime, they opened the second half with a decisive 9-2 spurt. Wilkins hit a 3-pointer off an assist from Charles Johnston just 21 seconds into the period, and after a VMI shot-clock violation, Wilkins struck again from deep for a 40-29 lead with 18:29 to play. The Paladins’ lead never dipped below nine points again, growing as large as 21 in the final minutes as VMI continued to misfire.

Furman’s interior defense was a key factor, recording five blocks and altering numerous other attempts. Johnston, the 6-foot-11 center from Sydney, Australia, anchored that effort with two blocks, six points, five assists and a game-high 11 rebounds.

The game’s final margin comfortably covered the pregame spread, which had installed Furman as a 14.5-point favorite. The combined 117 points fell far below the over/under line of 149.5, a testament to the defensive struggle and poor shooting on both ends, particularly from VMI.

Furman looks to build on the conference win when they travel to face Samford on Wednesday. Virginia Military Institute returns home to host Mercer on Thursday. The two teams are scheduled to meet again in Lexington, Virginia, on Feb. 14.