CHARLESTON, S.C. — Behind a career-high 22 points from
Sola Adebisi, The Citadel (6–14, 3–4 SoCon) erased a 19-point second-half deficit to defeat the Furman Paladins (13–7, 4–3 SoCon), 77–75, in overtime Wednesday night at McAlister Field House, tying the second-largest comeback in program history.
In the win, Adebisi finished 9-of-10 shooting from the field to lead The Citadel.
Braxton Williams scored 18 points and went 7-of-7 at the free throw line, while
Christian Moore added 14 points, all after halftime, and connected on four three-point field goals.
Logan Applegate contributed 10 points, and
Marcos Gonzales totaled nine points with five assists.
Furman built its largest lead of the night at 55–36 with 10:30 remaining in regulation.
Christian Moore sparked a rally by knocking down back-to-back triples, beginning a stretch in which The Citadel outscored Furman 10–0 to cut the margin to 60–56. During that span, Furman was limited to one made field goal over nearly six minutes of game action. The Paladins briefly pushed the lead back to three possessions, but Adebisi continued to score in the paint as The Citadel closed within 67–64 with under 1:10 remaining. After a defensive stop, Adebisi drove to the basket and scored through contact with under 10 seconds left, converting the ensuing free throw to tie the game at 67–67. Furman's final shot attempt before the buzzer missed, sending the contest to overtime.
In the extra period, Furman regained the lead at 75–74 with 1:21 remaining. Adebisi was fouled on the ensuing possession and split a pair of free throws to tie the score. Following a defensive stop, The Citadel held for the final possession, and
Braxton Williams was fouled with three seconds remaining. Williams converted both free throws to put The Citadel ahead by two. Furman's desperation three-point attempt at the buzzer missed, sealing the overtime victory for the Bulldogs
Charles Johnston led Furman with 15 points and 12 rebounds, while Alex Wilkins added 15 points and nine assists. Ben Vander Wal scored 12 points, and Abijah Franklin finished with 11.
The Citadel finished the game shooting 42.1 percent from the field, including 47.8 percent in the second half, and made 23-of-30 free throw attempts. The Bulldogs totaled 36 points in the paint and 15 second-chance points, while the teams finished even on the glass with 39 rebounds apiece.
The Bulldogs continue Southern Conference play at ETSU Buccaneers on Friday, Jan. 23, with tipoff set for 7 pm ET at Freedom Hall in Johnson City, Tenn. The game was rescheduled from its original Saturday, Jan. 24, 4 pm ET start time due to impending inclement weather and will air on ESPN+.
KEY NOTES
• The game marked The Citadel's third overtime contest of the season, the most since the 2011–12 campaign.
• The 19-point second-half rally ranks as the second-largest comeback in program history, trailing only a 21-point comeback on Feb. 24, 2011 at Western Carolina.
• Adebisi extended his streak of games with at least one blocked shot to 10.
• Williams is 22-for-22 at the charity stripe over his last five games.
• Applegate made a season-high five free throws, going 5-of-5 at the line.
• Gonzales has made at least five free throws in consecutive games.
• Moore recorded his second game this season with at least four made treys and has made at least three shots from beyond the arc in seven games, including 14 games with two or more made three-pointers.
• The Citadel made 23 free throws, marking its fourth game this season with at least 20 made free throws.
• Adebisi (42), Williams (38), Moore (38) and Gonzales (29) all logged season-high minutes.
• Three of the last four meetings between The Citadel and Furman have gone to overtime.
WINSTON HILL ('24) POSTGAME WITH HEAD COACH ED CONROY, SOLA ADEBISI AND BRAXTON WILLIAMS
