GAME NOTES: Southern Conference foes clash for the second time in a week, as the Furman Paladins square off against the Western Carolina Catamounts at the Ramsey Center tonight. These two clubs met exactly a week ago, with the Paladins capturing a 64-60 triumph on their home floor. It was the second straight win for Furman, which had opened the season with 11 straight losses. The Paladins though, were unable to build off that win, dropping their next game to Chattanooga, 77-60, on Saturday. With the loss, Furman dipped to 1-4 in conference play. As for the Catamounts, it was also downed in their most recent outing, falling at Davidson, 86-73, on Saturday. It was the third loss in a row for WCU, which now sits at 4-10 overall and 0-4 in conference play. In terms of the all-time series, Furman owns a 35-20 lead over WCU and it has won seven of the last eight meetings.

The Paladins have struggled at both ends of the court this season, as they are scoring just 62.8 ppg behind a modest 40.4 percent shooting from the field, while allowing their foes to net 74.6 ppg and shoot a much higher 49.6 percent overall. Justin Dehm is making good on 50.0 percent of his three-point attempts and he is the only player on the roster currently averaging in double figures with 11.4 ppg. In the team's last game, Furman shot a horrific 28.8 percent from the field, including a poor 9-of-36 showing from long range, as it suffered a 77-60 setback to Chattanooga. Connor Nolte led the team in defeat with 13 points and five boards off the bench, while Dehm chipped in with 12 points on 4-of-9 shooting from long distance.

WCU is averaging 65.4 ppg this season, but that number could be a lot higher if the team would improve on its lackluster 39.2 percent shooting from the floor. Michael Porrini though, has been one of the few bright spots for the Catamounts thus far, leading the team in scoring (12.6 ppg), assists (3.5 apg) and steals (29). Brandon Giles nips at his heels with 12.5 ppg and he is shooting 42.9 percent from three-point land. In the squad's prior outing, WCU turned the ball over 23 times and that led to 32 points for Davidson in an 86-73 defeat. The team was also outscored at the foul line, 22-12, and in the paint, 38-26. Porrini guided the team in the loss with 14 points and two steals, but he also accounted for seven turnovers.

Neither team has had much success this season, but WCU has been at its best at home and that is why it should prevail tonight.