Dec. 4, 2007

Greenville, S.C. - Furman continues its quest to break into the win column when it travels to Macon, Ga., to face the Mercer Bears Wednesday at the University Center. Tip-off is set for 7 p.m.

The Paladins, off to an 0-6 start for the first time since the 1944-45 season, dropped a 66-61 decision at Elon on Saturday to fall to 0-2 in Southern Conference play. Mercer downed Charleston Southern 93-92 on James Florence's last second shot Monday night to snap a five-game skid and improve to 2-5 on the campaign. Mercer opened the season by shocking Southern Cal.

Florence leads the Bears averaging 17.0 points per game. Calvin Henry, who tallied 20 points and 10 boards at Charleston Southern, is averaging 9.9 points and six rebounds per game.

Freshmen Jordan Miller (12 pts.) and Noah States (11 pts.) each recorded career highs in Furman's loss at Elon. The Paladins, who featured four freshmen in their starting lineup last time out, are led by Justin Dehm's 10.0 points per game. Furman leads the SoCon in free throw shooting (73.7%) and ranks third from three-point range (37.8%), but ranks last in opponents field goal percentage (51.0%) and assist/turnover ratio (0.6).

The Paladins hold an 8-5 mark in the all-time series with the Bears and have claimed the last five meetings between the schools. Furman claimed an 83-69 victory over Mercer on December 30, 2006, at Timmons Arena in the last series meeting.

Furman vs. Mercer Notes