Commodores outlast Appalachian State, 86-73

NASHVILLE, Tenn. (AP) — John Jenkins scored 21 points and Festus Ezeli added a career-high 18 and to lead Vanderbilt to an 86-73 win over Appalachian State on Saturday.

The Mountaineers (2-2) had cut the Vanderbilt lead to 73-69 after an Omar Carter three-point play, but the Commodores went on an 11-0 run to ensure there would be no upset.

Lance Goulbourne dunked off a set play drawn up by Vanderbilt coach Kevin Stallings while Carter was attempting his free-throw to start the run. Goulbourne then capped the run with a thunderous one-handed jam coming down the right side of the lane.

Goulbourne, the Commodores’ sixth man, contributed 17 points and eight rebounds. Vanderbilt (5-1) shot 51.5 percent (34 of 56), including 54.8 in the second half (17 of 31), and made 9 of 22 3-point attempts.

Donald Sims finished with 27 points for Appalachian State, including four 3-pointers, and Carter had 17.