Mike Neal scored 18 points to lead Appalachian State over Furman 79-69 on Thursday night.
The Mountaineers (10-14, 6-8 Southern Conference) shot 56.5 percent in the second half (13 of 23), while holding Furman to 35.5-percent shooting (11 of 31).
Appalachian State led 33-31 at halftime, and Furman tied it, 33-33, on Brandon Sebirumbi's basket 13 seconds in. It remained close until Appalachian State scored eight straight to go up 49-41 on Isaac Butts three-point play with 13:19 to go.
G.J. Vilarino added 14 points and Andre Williamson 10 for the Mountaineers, who snapped a three-game losing streak.
Sebirumbi finished with 14 points for the Paladins (12-13, 6-8), who were holding opponents to just 65 points per game coming in. Bobby Austin chipped in 10 points for Furman, which turned it over 11 times, leading to 14 points. The Mountaineers turned it over just eight times.
