Furman breaks away from Appalachian State 79-70

BOONE, N.C. (AP) Devin Sibley scored 18 points - including five in a final surge as Furman pulled away to defeat Appalachian State 79-70 on Tuesday night.

The Paladins (2-0) led most of the way in a tight game, but extended the lead to 12, 69-41, on back-to-back layups by Matt Rafferty and Daniel Fowler with a little more than 7 minutes to play.

Appalachian State (1-1) cut the gap to 65-63 after a 14-4 run, including a 3-pointer by Chris Burgess and two free throws from Michael Obacha on the same possession.

But Furman closed out on a 14-7 run, sparked by 3-pointers from Sibley (who added two foul shots) and Fowler. The Paladins went 6-for-6 at the line in the last 47 seconds, with 4 free throws from Rafferty, who finished with 19 points.

Frank Eaves led the Mountaineers with 20 points, including four 3-pointers, and Burgess finished with 17, six assists and four steals.