GREENVILLE, S.C. —

Freshman Alex Wilkins scored 26 points to lead five Paladins in double figures as Furman claimed its first victory in the newly renovated Timmons Arena with an 89-59 victory over Columbia International on Monday night.

Furman (1-2) held the Rams without a field goal for a stretch of 10:32 in the first half while fashioning a 24-1 run to take control of the game. Five different players scored during the run to help the Paladins build a 29-8 lead on Wilkins’ triple with 8:44 to go in the half as Furman carried a 49-25 lead into the locker room.

Wilkins, a native of Mattapan, Mass., connected on 9-of-17 shots from the floor and all four of his free throw attempts to lead the way for the Paladins while fellow freshman Abijah Franklin and junior Cooper Bowser totaled 11 po

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