ATHENS, Ga. (AP) Stephen Croone scored 17 points on 6-of-9 shooting and Furman beat Liberty 79-56 on Tuesday night.
The Paladins (5-3) shot 60 percent from the field (27 of 45) and made 17 of 25 free throws. Devin Sibley, who shot 9 of 10 from the line, had 15 points.
Kris Acox scored 13, Kendrec Ferrara added 10, and the Paladins are off to their first 3-0 start at home since beginning the 2010-11 campaign with a 5-0 mark.
Leading 33-27 at halftime, Furman opened the second half with a 14-3 run in which Daniel Fowler hit two 3-pointers, then led 67-43 after a 7-2 run and cruised.
Evan Maxwell led Liberty (3-7) with 12 points.
Liberty opened the game with a 16-7 run in which four different players hit 3-pointers. But Furman took the lead amid a 9-0 run, outshooting the Flames 67 percent to 50 percent in the half.
