Bucs face off against Paladins (Contributed/ETSU Athletics)

The intensity was high, every shot important, free throws and excellent team work from the ETSU men’s basketball team was able to complete the upset. Running onto home court at Freedom Hall on Sunday Feb. 2 in Johnson City saw the Bucs battle, ultimately defeating SoCon Conference top-dog, the Furman Paladins in a score of 72-69.

Before tip-off, second year Head Coach, Brooks Savage and staff understood the assignment that playing tough nose basketball would be the only way to take down the Paladins. Coming into the game, the Bucs sat in the lower half of conference play with a 12-10 record. With the regular season coming to a close in only a matter of weeks, the in-conference games weigh astronomical amounts of importance. Despite this, the Furman Paladins were ready for the challenge of the roaring Buccaneers, which lead to potentially one of the best SoCon games this season.

Throughout the first half, the Bucs and Paladins would swing back in the fourth on the score board for more than fifteen minutes of action. The Paladins, however, would eventually storm the paint. Outscoring the Bucs on an offensive explosive attack of 31-5, the Bucs refused to quit. As the first half to a close, the Bucs rallied, making up over fourteen much needed points. The last few minutes efforts would see the Bucs take a surprising 37-32 point lead.

Tensions would stay at an all time high, as the crowd roared throughout the raptors of Freedom Hall. From the moment of tip off in the second half, would see much of the competitive spirit from the first half continue. With less than five minutes of play left, the Bucs found themselves down 67-60. In a critical display of offensive ability, paired with exceptional play from star guard, Quimari Peterson (Gary, Ind.), the Buccaneers were able to smash the paint on both sides of court, completing the upset 72-69.

The victory marks the Bucs 13th victory of the season, as they will continue to grow momentum as they head into the next crucial game against the VMI Keydets on Feb. 5 in Lexington, Va.

For more information on the ETSU men’s basketball, please visit ETSUBucs.com.

ETSU defeated Furman in an incredibly close game (Will Rowland/East Tennessean)

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