TRAVELERS REST, S.C. (Interstat) — In a Southern Conference men’s basketball clash defined by offensive efficiency and a singular star performance, the Furman Paladins held off a persistent Chattanooga Mocs squad 75-70 on Sunday at Timmons Arena.

The game was a showcase for Furman guard Alex Wilkins, who poured in 33 points to propel the Paladins to their third consecutive victory. The sophomore from Mattapan, Massachusetts, was the engine of a Furman offense that operated with precision, scoring 75 points on just 66 possessions for an offensive rating of 113.7. Chattanooga, by contrast, managed 70 points on 69 trips, a rating of 102.0.

Wilkins set the tone early, connecting on three first-half 3-pointers as Furman (16-7, 6-4 Southern) built a working margin. His scoring, combined with Furman’s superior shooting from the field — 50% compared to Chattanooga’s 41% — and from beyond the arc — 9 of 20 versus 8 of 29 — provided a cushion the Mocs could never fully erase.

Chattanooga (9-14, 3-7) stayed within striking distance largely through the efforts of guards Brennan Watkins and Teddy Washington. Watkins, a junior from Kearney, Missouri, scored 19 points and grabbed five rebounds. Washington, from Blytheville, Arkansas, added 16 points, including a critical personal 7-0 run early in the second half that briefly brought the Mocs back to life.

The most important sequence of the game unfolded in the final minute, with Furman clinging to a narrow lead. After a Tate Darner 3-pointer for Chattanooga cut the Furman advantage to 73-70 with 13 seconds remaining, the Paladins’ Eddrin Bronson was fouled. He calmly sank both free throws with 12 seconds left to push the lead back to five. Chattanooga’s final attempt, a missed 3-pointer by Makai Richards, was followed by an offensive rebound, but a turnover by Brennan Watkins with one second left sealed the outcome.

While Wilkins dominated the scoring column, Furman received crucial contributions elsewhere. Ben VanderWal of Elmhurst, Illinois, filled the stat sheet with seven points, seven rebounds, four assists and two blocks, providing defensive versatility. The Paladins also won the battle at the free-throw line, making 16 of 21 attempts, while Chattanooga hit 12 of 16.

Chattanooga’s effort was highlighted by its work on the offensive glass, where it secured 11 rebounds leading to 13 second-chance points, and by a defensive effort that produced seven steals and five blocks. Center Collin Mulholland of Kitchener, Canada, had two of those blocks, while Richards added two more to go with seven points.

The victory completed a regular-season sweep for Furman, which defeated Chattanooga 78-67 on Jan. 7. It also continued a trend for the Mocs, who have now lost four of their last five games. For Furman, the win solidifies its position in the upper tier of the conference standings as the season enters its final month.

Furman, which entered the game as an 8.5-point favorite according to sportsbooks, saw the total score of 145 fall under the betting line of 141.5. National statistical services gave the Paladins a 76.9% probability of victory pregame.

Furman looks to continue its momentum on the road at East Tennessee State on Wednesday. Chattanooga returns home to host Mercer on Thursday.