By CHARLIE PARENT
Furman handled Chattanooga 88-79 on Monday night to win the Southern Conference and avenge last season’s heart-breaker in the championship when Chattanooga hit a buzzer-beater to send the Paladins home.
It is Furman’s 7th appearance in the NCAA Tournament and first since the 1979-1980 season.
Jalen Slawson, the SoCon Player of the Year, led the way for Furman with 18 points and five boards.
The Paladins came in as a 14-seed in Joe Lunardi’s recent bracketology. They boast a fast-paced offense that is 11th in the country in points per game.
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