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Furman Today
By the People, for the People
UConn Defeats Furman in NCAA Tournament First Round
No. 2 seed UConn advances after hard-fought game against No. 15 seed Furman
Mar. 21, 2026 at 5:09am
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The University of Connecticut Huskies, the No. 2 seed in the NCAA men's basketball tournament, defeated the Furman Paladins, the No. 15 seed, in the first round of the tournament. The game was closely contested, with both teams playing tough defense and battling for every possession.
Why it matters
This victory for UConn sets them up for a potential deep run in the tournament, as they look to capture their first national championship since 2014. For Furman, the loss ends their Cinderella tournament hopes, but the Paladins can be proud of their hard-fought effort against one of the top teams in the country.
The details
UConn was led by their star player, sophomore guard Jamal Bey, who scored 22 points and dished out 6 assists. Furman was paced by senior forward Liam Donovan, who recorded a double-double with 18 points and 12 rebounds. The game was tied at halftime, but UConn pulled away in the second half, outscoring Furman 42-35 to secure the victory.
- The game was played on March 21, 2026 in the first round of the NCAA men's basketball tournament.
The players
Jamal Bey
A sophomore guard for the University of Connecticut Huskies, Bey is one of the top players in the country and led his team to victory in this first-round matchup.
Liam Donovan
A senior forward for the Furman Paladins, Donovan had a strong performance in the losing effort, recording a double-double with 18 points and 12 rebounds.
What they’re saying
“I'm really proud of the way our team battled out there today. Furman is a tough, well-coached team and they gave us everything we could handle.”
— Dan Hurley, Head Coach, UConn Huskies
“We left it all out on the floor, and that's all you can ask for. UConn is a great team and they made the plays down the stretch to win the game.”
— Bob Richey, Head Coach, Furman Paladins
What’s next
UConn will advance to the second round of the NCAA tournament, where they will face the winner of the game between No. 7 seed Michigan State and No. 10 seed Loyola Chicago.
The takeaway
This hard-fought victory for UConn showcases the depth and talent of the Huskies roster, as they were able to overcome a determined Furman team and advance to the next round of the NCAA tournament. The Paladins, meanwhile, can hold their heads high after giving one of the tournament favorites all they could handle.
