GREENVILLE, S.C. (AP) — Amu Saaka scored 14 points and Furman defeated Georgia Southern 54-45 on Thursday night.

Brandon Sebirumbi added 12 points and Darryl Evans 10 for the Paladins (18-7, 10-4 Southern Conference).

Furman led 26-24 at halftime and opened the second half on a 9-2 run. Evans capped the spurt on a layup for a 35-26 lead with 16:49 remaining. The Eagles (4-22, 0-13) closed to within three, 43-40, with 4:51 to go, but Furman responded with seven straight points to seal Georgia Southern's 12th straight loss.

The Eagles shot just 28.6 percent from the field in the second half (8 of 28) and finished shooting 32.7 percent for the game (17 of 52).

The Paladins didn't shoot much better from the field (35.6 percent, 16 of 45), but went 16 for 23 from the free-throw line, compared to just 6 of 9 by the Eagles.

James Zuri led Georgia Southern with 16 points.