W. Carolina 79, Furman 65

Updated: Nov 28, 2012, 10:37 pm

GREENVILLE, S.C. -- Trey Sumler scored 24 points and Tom Tankelewicz made five 3-pointers on his way to 17 points as Western Carolina beat Furman 79-65 Wednesday in the Southern Conference opener for both teams.

Sumler, who entered the game averaging 18 points, was 7-of-15 shooting, dished out seven assists and grabbed seven boards for the Catamounts (3-4), who won the rebounding battle 40-32.

Furman led majority of the first half until Sumler's jumper game Western Carolina its first lead of the game, 20-18, with 3:45 left. The Catamounts closed the half on a 7-3 run to take a 27-21 lead into the break.

The Paladins (2-4) cut the deficit to 37-36 after intermission, but the Catamounts used another run, this time 22-8, to pull away. Western Carolina led by as much as 15, 59-44, in the second half.

Colin Reddick led Furman with 15 points, nine rebounds and three blocks.