Leissner Scores Game-High 21 Points in 78-64 Loss to Furman

Friday, November 24

Nashville, Tenn

1 PM Eastern

University of New Hampshire

1-4

Furman University

3-2

Furman

New Hampshire

Photo by: Tim Casey

11/24/2017 4:37:00 PM | Men's Basketball

Box Score

NASHVILLE, Tenn. – Tanner Leissner (Converse, Texas) recorded 21 points, eight rebounds and four assists but the University of New Hampshire men's basketball team was defeated 78-64 by Furman University in Friday afternoon's Phil Knight Invitational/PK80 presented by State Farm satellite game at Nashville Municipal Stadium.

Leissner scored 19 of his game-high 21 points in the first half, when he shot 6 of 10 from the floor, including 2-for-4 from 3-point range, and 5 of 6 from the foul line. Elijah Jordan (Orlando, Fla.), the reigning America East Rookie of the Week, finished with career highs in both points (13) and rebounds (six); he also tallied four assists in 36 minutes.

Furman was led by Devin Sibley (20p, 9r), Jordan Lyons (12p), Daniel Fowler (1p) and Matt Rafferty (11p).

UNH is now 1-4. The Paladins improved to 3-2.

LOOKING AHEAD

New Hampshire returns to action Nov. 25 (1 p.m. Eastern) for its last game of the PK80 presented by State Farm against Utah State University.
The Wildcats' next home game is Nov. 29 (7 p.m.) against Boston University; there will be a schedule magnet giveaway and Dollar Dogs at the concession stand. Tickets are available online at www.unhwildcats.com or by calling (603) 862-4000.

THE DIFFERENCE

Leading 35-30 at halftime, Furman opened the second half on an 11-0 run to build a 16-point lead. The Paladins led by as many as 29 points before New Hampshire closed the game on a 19-4 run the final 6:30 of the game.

GAME RECAP

There were four ties and five lead changes in a back-and-forth first half.
UNH controlled the opening tip and Leissner's field goal gave the Wildcats an early 2-0 lead.
That lead was short-lived, however, as the Paladins scored the next five points and surged to a 13-5 lead.
Leissner's second 3-pointer of the game tied the score, 13-13, at 11:20 and a free throw by Iba Camara (Dakar, Senegal) put the 'Cats back in front, 14-13, at 10:22.
Daniel Fowler's 3-pointer put Furman back in front by eight points, 24-16, at 6:23.
Leissner scored the next five points on a pair of layups, the second of which was a three-point play, to lift UNH within 24-21 at 5:16
The Wildcats trailed 27-21 when Jordan Reed (Lucas, Texas) hit a 3-pointers, Jordan hit two free throws and Leissner also made a pair from the foul line to give UNH a 28-27 lead.
Furman closed the first half on a 7-2 run to regain the lead at the break.
UNH missed its first six shots and committed five turnovers in the opening five minutes of the second half, which allowed the Paladins to build a 46-30 lead.
Furman extended the advantage to 29 points, 67-38, on a pair of Jonathan Jean free throws at 8:13.
Trailing 74-45, UNH went on a 9-0 run the next 2:30 to narrow the margin to 20 points with 4:11 remaining. Josh Hopkins (Greensboro, N.C.) made a pair of 3's during the spurt.
A layup by Chris Lester (Barrington, Ill.) trimmed the deficit to 13 points with 42 seconds to play.

UNH NOTEBOOK

This was the third 20+ point effort of the season – 27^th career – for Leissner, who has led UNH in scoring 4 of 5 games.
Leissner became the fifth player in UNH history to make 500 career field goals; he is No. 5 on the list with 505.
He also became the first UNH player to make 400 career free throws; he increased his program benchmark to 402.
Leissner climbed two spots to No. 8 on the career list for field goals made (1,118).
Camara climbed one spot on UNH's career rebounding leaderboard to No. 4 with 727 boards.
Lester finished with nine points and eight rebounds – both career highs – in 10 minutes off the bench.
UNH is now 0-2 lifetime against Furman. The Paladins won the inaugural meeting in December 2002.