In a rematch just five days after their regular-season finale, the ETSU women’s basketball team faced Furman in the Southern Conference quarterfinals at Harrah’s Cherokee Center on Thursday night. The Bucs had defeated the Paladins 62-50 inside Brooks Gym on March 1, closing the regular season on a high note.
However, in the win-or-go-home rematch, Furman responded with a 64-58 victory, ending ETSU’s postseason run.
From the opening tip, both teams played with urgency. Furman took an early edge, outscoring ETSU 12-10 in the first quarter, led by senior forward Jada Session (Locust Grove, Ga.). The Bucs answered in the second quarter, keeping pace behind a strong performance from junior forward Meghan Downing (New Madison, Ohio), who finished with 16 points and six rebounds in 31 minutes. Senior guard Courtney Moore (Gainesville, Fla.) also played a key role, adding 12 points and three steals. At halftime, the game remained deadlocked at 30.
ETSU head coach Brenda Mock Brown has emphasized a defense-first mentality throughout the season, and that approach was evident as the Bucs forced 15 Furman turnovers. Between their two matchups against the Paladins, Brown reinforced this philosophy, stating, “Building great defense-first basketball.”
However, despite their defensive efforts, Furman found momentum in the third quarter, outscoring ETSU 25-18 behind efficient shooting and second-chance opportunities.
The Bucs fought back in the final period, holding Furman to just nine points, but their late push wasn’t enough. ETSU shot 36.7% from the field but struggled from beyond the arc, making just four of 18 attempts. Furman capitalized at the free-throw line, sinking 14 of 18 attempts compared to ETSU’s 6-for-9 performance.
Despite the tough loss, ETSU’s season showcased resilience and growth. The Bucs will now turn their attention to the offseason, looking to build on the strides made this year.
For more information on ETSU women’s basketball, visit etsubucs.com.
