Sims scores 30 points to help Appalachian State advance with a 71-61 win over The Citadel

Appalachian State knocks off The Citadel 71-61

CHARLOTTE, N.C. — Donald Sims scored 30 points to lead Appalachian State to a 71-61 victory over The Citadel in Southern Conference tournament quarterfinals on Saturday night.

Sims, the league’s leading scorer at 20.4 points per game, scored 21 of his 30 in the second half after the Mountaineers led 27-24 at halftime. Appalachian State led by as many as 16 in the second half.

Appalachian State (21-11) reached Sunday’s semifinals against the winner of the Chattanooga-College of Charleston game. It was the fifth straight win and ninth in 10 games for the Mountaineers, who avenged a 62-58 regular-season loss to The Citadel.

The Mountaineers got 15 points from Kellen Brand and 11 from Isaac Butts. Josh Hunter had 10 rebounds as Appalachian State piled up a 42-25 rebound advantage.

Zach Urbanus scored 15 points to lead The Citadel (16-16), and Cameron Wells and Austin Dahn scored 11 each.