TUESDAY SPORTS: Furman falls to Samford

Samford shot 60% in the second half, including connecting on 6-of-9 three-point attempts over the final 20 minutes, to erase a 10-point deficit en route to a 76-68 victory over Furman in Southern Conference men’s basketball action Monday evening at Timmons Arena. With Furman leading 41-31 following Stephen Croone’s three-point play with 17:25 remaining in the game, Isaiah Williams scored five straight points to ignite an 18-3 Bulldog run to give Samford control of the game.

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The Clemson men’s basketball team will host Georgia Tech in ACC action Tuesday night at Littlejohn Coliseum. Tip-off is set for 8:05 PM.

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Area high schools hit the hardwood Tuesday evening with Tamassee-Salem hosting Calhoun Falls. Seneca will host Emerald. Walhalla welcomes Palmetto and Wren will visit West-Oak. Girls games tip off at 6:00 PM in all those matchups.

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South Carolina Junior catcher Grayson Greiner and junior infielder Joey Pankake earned third-team Preseason All-America honors from Baseball America. The Gamecocks, ranked No. 7 in the nation by Baseball America, begin the 2014 season on Friday, Feb. 14 vs. Bucknell in the first game of a three-game series at Carolina Stadium. Greiner played this past summer for Team USA and was a 2013 second-team All-SEC selection. Pankake is one of the top returning hitters in the SEC and the country.

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For the fourth time in five years, the Super Bowl has set a new record for the most-watched television event in U.S. history. Super Bowl 48 on Sunday was watched by 111.5 million people despite being a 43-8 blowout for the Seattle Seahawks over the Denver Broncos. Bruno Mars’ halftime performance, featuring guests the Red Hot Chili Peppers, also set a new record with 115.3 million viewers, making it the most-watched Super Bowl halftime show ever.