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GREENSBORO — As always, UNCG's players gathered around the Spartans logo at center court following their game Saturday.

But when they broke the huddle, they were smiling for the first time at home this season. Senior Mikko Koivisto gave a short fist-pump to go with his grin before heading to the locker room.

By dispatching Furman, 88-78, the Spartans finally recorded their initial win in their first full season Greensboro Coliseum. It took them nine tries to do it.

"It was great," said Koivisto, a senior guard. "The last 40 seconds of the game the crowd was cheering for us, standing up. It felt really good. This is what we want to do."

Another senior, center Pete Brown, said he felt the team had "a cloud above us" when it came to playing at home. "That's what we're trying to do, build up home court and build a fan base," he said. "Hopefully this win elevates us to reach that level."

Although they weren't listed in the box score, unofficial assists for the victory could be given to Koivisto's father and Brown's mother.

Koivisto's father, Jukka, traveled from Finland to see his son play for the first time. He could only stay until halftime before he had to leave to catch a flight home, but it was long enough. Mikko Koivisto scored 10 points in the half, the last two sending him over 1,000 for his career.

"He got to see me play a little bit and he got to see me score my 1,000th point, so it was very special," Koivisto said.

Brown said he followed some advice given to him by his mother, Sonia, via a dream about his father, the late Austin Brown.

"She said she had a dream where my dad talked to her (and) told her that I've been worrying lately," Brown said. "(So) he just told me to play through everything, that everything was going to be all right, just keep playing your game. And that's what happened. I just followed her advice."

The two were among six players in double figures for the Spartans. Koivisto, hampered this season by a hip injury and stomach flu, had his best game with 14 points, matched by Brian Cole. Brown, posting up strong, tied his career high with 12 points.

The Spartans won mostly because of an excellent early start, using strong rebounding and a trapping defense that led to transition baskets. Koivisto scored 10 of UNCG's first 23 points and helped establish the tone for a 48-31 halftime lead.

"We've been talking a lot about getting a better start to the game," Koivisto said. "We wanted to come out with a lot of energy. I got a couple good looks in the beginning and I just wanted to stay aggressive."

The second half turned into a grind-it-out affair punctuated by the constant sound of whistles. In all, 60 fouls were called during the game, 32 in the second half. The teams combined to take 91 free throws, with UNCG setting a school record by attempting 54.

The problem was, the Spartans kept clanking them off the rim. Altogether they missed 21 foul shots to help Furman hang around. The scoring of Amu Saaka (31 points) and Bryson Barnes (15) helped the Paladins move within 77-71 with 3:44 left and 80-74 with 1:38 to go.

UNCG hadn't won since Dec. 5 and looked like a team that didn't know how to close out a win. But the Spartans finally righted themselves, hitting their final six foul shots plus a layup by Korey Van Dussen to put things away.

"It feels good to win," coach Mike Dement said. "We've had a problem here doing that, and hopefully that breaks it open and we can play better at home."

UNCG, 3-12 overall, raised its Southern Conference record to 2-2. It will head out on a three-game road trip to Chattanooga, Western Carolina and Appalachian and won't return to the Coliseum until a rematch with Chattanooga on Jan. 21.

NOTES: Ben Stywall scored 11 points but grabbed just four rebounds, breaking his streak of four straight double-doubles.

FURMAN (8-7) — Sebirumbi 2-2 2-2 6, Saaka 9-22 12-17 31, Co.Reddick 1-2 3-4 5, Dehm 2-6 2-2 7, Miller 0-10 0-0 0, Duval 1-2 3-4 5, States 0-2 1-4 1, Evans 2-5 1-2 6, Barnes 5-9 2-2 15, Toler 1-1 0-0 2. Totals 23-61 26-37 78.

UNCG (3-12) — Stywall 1-4 9-14 11, Brown 5-8 2-6 12, Koivisto 4-11 4-4 14, Randall 1-6 8-10 10, Toney 3-7 1-3 8, Sellers 0-0 2-2 2, VanDussen 3-4 0-0 6, Smith 0-2 0-0 0, Bone 0-2 0-0 0, Evans 3-5 5-13 11, Cole 6-8 2-2 14. Totals 26-57 33-54 88.

Halftime—UNCG 48-31.
3-point goals—Furman 6-29 (Barnes 3-6, Evans 1-4, Dehm 1-5, Saaka 1-7, States 0-1, Miller 0-6), UNCG 3-12 (Koivisto 2-8, Toney 1-2, Smith 0-1, Randall 0-1). Fouled out—Sebirumbi.
Rebounds—Furman 36 (Saaka 10), UNCG 47 (Cole 8).
Assists—Furman 10 (Evans, Saaka 3), UNCG 13 (Randall 5).
Total fouls—Furman 32, UNCG 28.
A—1,979.