NORTH CHARLESTON, S.C. (Interstat) — Clare Coyle scored 19 points and Furman used a decisive third-quarter surge to pull away from Charleston Southern for a 66-53 victory in nonconference women’s basketball Friday night at CSU Field House.

The Paladins evened their record at 6-6, while the Buccaneers fell to 2-9.

In a game defined by offensive struggles and turnovers, Furman’s ability to capitalize on a critical stretch after halftime proved to be the difference. Leading 29-23 at the break in a contest where neither team could find consistent rhythm, the Paladins opened the third quarter with a 13-2 run to establish a commanding double-digit lead from which Charleston Southern never recovered.

The pivotal sequence began with Furman’s Raina McGowens converting a layup while being fouled, though she missed the ensuing free throw. After a Buccaneers turnover, McGowens sank two free throws. She then buried a 3-pointer off an assist from Kyraha Parnell, pushing the lead to 37-25. Following another Charleston Southern giveaway, Coyle finished inside, forcing a Buccaneers timeout with the Paladins ahead 39-25 just three minutes into the second half.

Charleston Southern, which committed 28 turnovers in the game, could not mount a sustained response. The Buccaneers managed only 12 points in the third quarter as Furman extended its advantage, taking a 51-35 lead into the final period.

Coyle, a 6-foot-1 junior from Jacksonville, Florida, was the game’s most consistent force, adding a block and playing 35 minutes. She was complemented by backcourt mates Chantelle Stuart and Raina McGowens. Stuart, from Scarborough, Canada, filled the stat sheet with 11 points, five assists and three steals. McGowens, a Pelzer, South Carolina native, contributed 13 points, primarily from the free-throw line where she went 7 for 10.

Charleston Southern was led by Caelan Ellis, who scored 15 of her team-high 17 points in the second half. Tyonna Bailey added 10 points for the Buccaneers, but the team shot just 32% from the field and was hampered by the constant stream of turnovers, which Furman converted into 23 points.

The first half was a ragged affair, with both teams combining for 27 turnovers. Furman led 17-15 after a first quarter that featured eight lead changes. The Paladins held Charleston Southern to just eight points in the second quarter to build their six-point halftime cushion, though they themselves managed only 12 points in the period.

Furman’s defense set the tone throughout, recording 16 steals. The Paladins also dominated in the paint, outscoring the Buccaneers 36-24 inside.

The game drew an announced crowd of 135.

Furman next travels to face Florida on Dec. 28. Charleston Southern faces a quick turnaround, visiting North Carolina on Sunday.