Furman won its fifth consecutive game, none bigger than Wednesday’s 91-75 upset over a bigger in-state school, South Carolina.

Amu Saaka led five Paladins in double figures with 20 points. He made only three of 10 shots from the field but made all 14 of his free throws. Jordan Miller added 17 points.

Furman started the game in a 10-2 hole, but a put-back by Chris Toler capped a 16-2 run to give the Paladins an 18-12 lead. South Carolina, led by Bruce Ellington, rallied to recapture the lead later in the first half, but Furman closed with another run to take a 41-33 lead at intermission.

The Gamecocks trimmed the lead to 60-57 midway through the second half, but Furman pulled away.

Ellington led all scorers with 31 points on 11-of-23 shooting. The freshman drained six 3-pointers and added four rebounds and three assists.

The Paladins improved to 8-2. South Carolina, which lost its second straight, fell to 7-3.