1000 x 90

Men’s Basketball Downs UMKC on Sunday

Tevin Baskin scored a team-high 18 points in Sunday's win at UMKC. Photo by Tyler Buckwell and courtesy of Appalachian Sports Information
Tevin Baskin scored a team-high 18 points in Sunday’s win at UMKC. Photo by Tyler Buckwell and courtesy of Appalachian Sports Information

Dec. 17, 2012. KANSAS CITY, Mo. — Tevin Baskin scored a team-high 18 points and three other players scored in double figures as Appalachian State University men’s basketball snapped a seven-game losing streak with an 81-71 win at UMKC on Sunday at the Swinney Center.

The Mountaineers (2-7) shot a blistering 61.9 percent (13-of-21) in the second half and connected on each of their final 17 free throws as they downed the Kangaroos (4-6) in the first-ever meeting between the two schools.

After trailing by one point in the opening minutes of play, Appalachian would reel off a 6-0 run to take an 11-7 lead with 14:19 remaining in the first half. 

UMKC would cut its deficit to two points (13-11) just moments later, but back-to-back buckets from Baskin and Jamaal Trice would extend the Mountaineer lead to seven points (18-11) with 11:56 remaining in the first half.

A jumper and a three-pointer from Tab Hamilton would give App State its largest first-half lead (26-17) with just under nine minutes to play, but the ‘Roos went on an 11-2 run over the next five minutes to tie the contest at 28-28.

UMKC would regain the lead with 1:11 on the clock but Jay Canty would nail a fast-break layup with two seconds left to send the Mountaineers into the locker room with a 33-32 halftime lead. 

The first 10 minutes of the second half provided plenty of entertainment as the ‘Roos would grab a four-point lead (38-34) with an initial 6-2 run out of the break. Appalachian was able to turn the tide with a 15-6 run to jump back in front by five (49-44) with 12:47 left to play.

It would be all the momentum the Mountaineers would need as they never trailed the rest of the way, leading by as many as 14 points (75-61) in the final four minutes en route to their first win since Nov. 9.

Baskin finished 7-of-12 from the floor and ripped down four rebounds while Hamilton finished with 17 points and connected on all eight free-throw attempts. Trice, who knocked down four three pointers ,poured in 16 points and Canty scored 12 while grabbing a team-high six rebounds. Mike Neal dished out four assists and scored four points in his season debut.

UMKC was paced by 18 points from Nelson Kirksey while Estan Tyler notched 15. Thomas Staton (12) also scored in double-figures for the Kangaroos. 

On the day, Appalachian shot 55.3 percent from the floor, went 6-of-11 from long range and connected on 23-of-30 free throws. UMKC shot 51.0 percent and hit 16-of-17 free throws but was just 3-of-14 from beyond the arc. The Apps finished with a 25-23 edge in rebounds and forced 14 UMKC turnovers.

The Mountaineers return to action at South Carolina on Wednesday for a 5 p.m. contest against the Gamecocks. 

GAME NOTES: Appalachian also snapped a seven-game road losing streak dating back to last year… the Mountaineers were 18-of-20 from the charity stripe in the second half… App State improved to 1-0 all-time against UMKC… the Apps outscored the ‘Roos 21-12 off turnovers… UMKC finished with a 38-30 edge in points in the paint.