Western Carolina handles Appalachian State 74-61

Published Feb. 20, 2014 9:27 p.m. ET

foxsports

BOONE, N.C. (AP) James Sinclair had 17 points and seven rebounds, while Trey Sumler added 14 points with six assists and five steals as Western Carolina defeated Appalachian State 74-61 Thursday night.

The Catamounts (16-12, 9-4 Southern Conference) shot 49 percent from the field and were 19 of 22 from the foul line. Tom Tankelewicz went 4 of 5 beyond the arc to finish with 16 points.

Appalachian State (8-18, 4-9) shot 42.3 percent, but went just 1 of 11 from the perimeter. Tommy Spagnolo led the Mountaineers with 18 points and 11 rebounds, while Ty Toney had 12 and Tevin Baskin 11.

Western Carolina jumped out to an early 9-0 lead, and pushed the score to 28-16 with 3:03 left in the first half.

The Mountaineers pulled within three near the midway mark in the second half, but Western Carolina responded with a quick 6-0 run and wouldn't let them any closer.