BOONE, N.C. (AP)—Donald Sims scored 23 points and Appalachian State held off a late rally, beating Robert Morris 71-66 on Saturday in a matchup of the nation’s two youngest coaches.
The Mountaineers (4-4) built a 59-43 lead on Jeremi Booth’s 3-pointer with 6:23 left in the second half. But the Colonials (4-6) didn’t go away, outscoring Appalachian State 19-7 over the next 5 minutes to cut the lead to 66-62 on Russell Johnson’s 3-pointer.
Robert Morris trimmed the margin to three on Velton Jones’ layup with 33 seconds to play. But the Colonials did not got closer as Appalachian State held off the late charge with Andre Williamson and Omar Carter each hitting a late free throw.
Carter finished with 14 points, while Williamson and Booth each had 10 for Mountaineers coach Jason Capel, who is 30 years old along with Robert Morris coach Andrew Toole.
Johnson led Robert Morris with 26 points.
