Mountaineers end losing streak

By: JournalNow Staff | Journal staff report
Published: February 10, 2012

Appalachian State snapped a three-game losing skid Thursday night with a 79-69 victory against Furman in Greenville, S.C.

Freshman Michael Neal came off the bench to lead the Mountaineers with a career-high 18 points. Sophomore G.J. Vilarino made his sixth start of the season and had a career-high 13 points and nine rebounds.

ASU improved to 10-14 overall and 6-8 in the Southern Conference. It was the first road victory for the Mountaineers since Jan. 5. They were previously 2-9 away from home.

The Mountaineers broke open a tied game midway through the second half — getting a key drive by Vilarino, two baskets in the post from Ike Butts and a steal and layup from Neal on the way to a 12-2 run.

Fouls began to mount for both teams (47 were called in the game), as Furman chipped away and pulled as close as 60-57 with 6:30 left.

But Nathan Healy's timely 3-pointer with 3:15 left got the Mountaineers rolling again. They had to endure losing frontcourt players Andre Williamson, Butts and Healy in the final three minutes to fouls. The Mountaineers wrapped up the victory by making 8 of 10 free throws during the closing three-minute stretch.

ASU, ranked last in the SoCon in free-throw percentage at 63 percent, used an increased-tempo attack, drew fouls in transition and hit 30 of 38 free throws (79 percent).

The Mountaineers committed just eight turnovers.

Coach Jason Capel of the Mountaineers tweaked his starting lineup Thursday night. Vilarino started at point guard in place of Neal, who thrived off the bench. Mitch Woods got his fifth start of the season in place of guard Jamaal Trice, who didn't play.

Neal's previous career-high was 15, in a 56-50 victory over Furman on Jan. 12 in Boone.

ASU led 33-31 after a streaky first half.

The Mountaineers experienced early foul trouble, and Furman used a 14-2 run to build a nine-point lead six minutes into play. But the Mountaineers answered with a 15-2 run to take the lead.

Brandon Sebirumbi led Furman (12-13 overall, 6-8 SoCon) with 14 points.

The Mountaineers will begin a three-game stretch of home games when they play Wofford at 2 p.m. Saturday in Boone.