(4N) Appalachian State 86, (5S) Georgia Southern 75
Sophomore guard Jeremi Booth exploded off the bench for 21 points to lead No. 4N Appalachian State to an 86-75 win against No. 5S Georgia Southern. Booth averages less than four points per game and reached double figures in scoring only twice this season. But he made four of the Mountaineers’ 10 three-pointers to fuel the win. Appalachian State earns a shot at Southern Conference Tournament favorite No. 1S Davidson Saturday. The Wildcats thumped Appalachian State 70-52 in the only meeting this season.
(3S) College of Charleston 69, (6N) UNC-Greensboro 56
One of Davidson’s potential contenders is No. 3S College of Charleston, which dispatched No. 6N UNC-Greensboro 69-56 in the opening round. The Cougars got 10 points and 16 rebounds from senior forward Dustin Scott, and sophomore forward Jeremy Simmons led the team with 18 points. Charleston will play No. 1N Western Carolina. The teams split their regular-season games, with the home team winning each match up.
(5N) Elon 62, (4S) Wofford 55
No. 4S Wofford failed to score for nearly six minutes to start the game, and No. 5N Elon capitalized by building a 14-0 lead that it never lost in a 62-55 win. Senior forward Monty Sanders had 21 points and nine rebounds to lead the Phoenix, which survived a second-half comeback by the Terriers. Wofford pulled within a possession of Elon multiple times in the final five minutes but couldn’t tie the game. Elon will play No. 1N Chattanooga. The Phoenix slipped past the Mocs by a point at home and lost by 22 on the road.
(3N) Samford 57, (6S) Furman 52
No. 3N Samford missed 11 free throws and committed seven more turnovers than No. 6S Furman, but the Bulldogs survived with slightly more consistent shooting to beat the Paladins 57-52. Junior forward Bryan Friday led the Bulldogs with 17 points. Samford will play No. 2S Citadel. The Bulldogs lost to the Citadel in the team’s only regular-season meeting.
