Vols unable to rally against 'Bama

KNOXVILLE - Tennessee found itself in a hole early against Alabama on Saturday night. Unfortunately for the Vols, it was a hole to big to climb out of.

The Volunteers fell behind 27-0 in the blink of an eye then saw a rally fall short in a 34-20 loss to No. 4 Alabama in Neyland Stadium. Tennessee (3-4, 0-4 SEC) scored 17 unanswered points, but it wasn’t enough to close the gap on Crimson Tide.

"They responded the way I would anticipate they would respond,” Tennessee Head Coach Butch Jones said of the way his team battled back. “Resilient, tough-minded, kept playing--they've done that all year. These are young men that are giving everything that they have each and every day in their preparation, in their week of practice, then today as well. They laid it on the line.”

Joshua Dobbs proved to be the catalyst for the offense after Nathan Peterman got the start and played for two series. The two quarterbacks were filling in for starting quarterback Justin Worley, who was injured in the Ole Miss game.

"He adds another element in terms of the run game,” Jones said of Dobbs. “We were able to run in the game. Any time you have a running quarterback that poses another threat to the defense in terms of gaps. I thought we could have played with tempo a little bit, but there were times we thought we'd use conditioning to a factor at times. “

Dobbs finished the game 75 yards rushing on 19 carries, the most for a Tennessee quarterback since Tee Martin in 1998, and went 19-of-32 passing for 192 yards and two scores.

As a team, the Vols rushed for 181 yards, the most Alabama had allowed all season, as well as recording 383 yards of total offense.

The key of the game, especially during the third quarter rally busting drive by Alabama, proved to be third-down conversions. Tennessee ended the game 11-of-19 on third down, while Alabama was 11-of-15. 

“I think, really, the storyline starts first and foremost with third-down conversions,” Jones said. “We pride ourselves--our identity--in getting off the field on third down. We weren't able to do that. They were 11 out of 15. On the flip side, offensively we started slow with the third downs. We were zero for four. Then after that, we were 11 out of 15 as well.”

Jones also noted that the Tide had players rising to the occasion.

"Players making plays, we lost contain of (Blake) Sims a number of times where he scrambled keeping plays alive with his feet. We didn't do a good job of containing it. I give them credit they have some very, very good football players. They are the reason they are a top five football team. So I have a tremendous amount of respect for them. Again, it is a great lesson of containing the quarterback, a game of inches and they made plays. They have good players and they made some plays."

Tennessee returns to action as they travel to Columbia, S.C., for a 7:30 p.m., kick with South Carolina.

Vikings Basketball on pace for unmatched season

This week, the Avery Vikings boys basketball team swept three conference opponents, clinching the regular-season championship in the Western Highlands Conference with a 10-0 conference mark and 18-4 overall record. The regular-season title is the first for Avery since the 2005-06 season, a team that finished 10-2 in WHC play.

Avery still has much to play for, including a No. 1 seed in the upcoming state playoffs, where Avery is in the mix with teams that include Cherryville, Alleghany, Hayesville and Robbinsville.

Avery is ranked No. 6 in 1A according to MaxPreps, the highest in the Western region by teams not named Winston-Salem Prep.

The Avery Lady Vikings are 16-6 overall, 7-4 in WHC play. AHS is fighting for a No. 2 seed in the WHC Tournament.

Avery hosts Hendersonville on Mon. Feb. 10, and hosts Mitchell on Tuesday, Feb. 11, for Senior Night.

AJT-Sports Live From... Holmes Center (ASU men's basketball vs. Milligan College

Update #9: It's apparently free tacos for all as the Mountaineers hit the century mark in a 100-68 runaway win over Milligan College. Gilbert paces ASU with 22 points, with 18 from Hamilton, 12 from Burgess and 11 from Neal. ASU out-rebounded the Buffaloes by more than 20 boards in the game, including a game-high 17 rebounds from Michael Obacha.

That'll wrap it up from Holmes Center. ASU's next home game is Monday, Dec. 30, against Bluefield College. Thanks for reading!

Update #8: Dustin Clarke entered the game for the Mountaineers at around the 6:30 mark, and scored on a layup inside. ASU has pulled away and has the game well in hand, leading 94-58 with 3:58 remaining.

Update #7: Appalachian has extended its advantage to 80-55 with 7:53 left in the contest. Michael Obacha of ASU has only four points, but pulled down 16 rebounds. Milligan has only 26 rebounds as a team.

Update #6: ASU holds a 67-53 lead with 11:39 to play. Kurt Brooks and Tori Sitton leads Milligan with nine points. Gilbert and Hamilton each have 18 points for the Mountaineers, with 10 from Burgess. The size of ASU has been a major factor, outrebounding Milligan 39-23 for the game.

Update #5: ASU leads Milligan 62-46, with 15:18 to play in the game, but has managed only two points in the past three minutes of game time. The Mountaineers once held a 60-39 lead, but a Buffaloes' 7-2 run has again cut into the Mountaineers' lead.

Update #4: ASU extended its lead in the closing minutes, as six-foot, eight-inch Rantavious Gilbert has been strong on the offensive glass and scored 14 points in the half. Appalachian leads Milligan 50-39 at halftime.

Hamilton has 11 points to put to Mountaineers in double-figures scoring. Two other players, Chris Burgess (8 points) and Mike Neal (9 points) will likely join the fraternity early in the second half.

Cartree Pettis leads Milligan with 8 points

Update #3: Milligan is shooting 55 percent from the field for the game, compared to 45.5 percent for the Mountaineers. Milligan has cut the App lead to 40-34 with 3:20 remaining in the half.

Update #2: The Buffaloes begin an offensive stampede to cut ASU's lead to 36-29, forcing an Appalachian timeout with 5:15 left in the half. A pair of Mickey Woods baskets have sparked the Milligan run.

Update #1: ASU leads Milligan 29-19. Milligan has committed seven turnovers in the first 9.5 minutes of the contest. Mike Neal has nine points for the Mountaineers, with eight points from Tab Hamilton.

We're in Boone on a rainy December Saturday for non-conference basketball action between ASU and Milligan. ASU is looking to break a three-game losing skid and sit at 2-8 for the season. Milligan stands at 8-4 overall. With students off for holiday break, the crowd is a little sparse, but still hearty.

At the first media timeout, ASU leads Milligan College 13-6 behind six points from Chris Burgess and a pair of baskets from Mike Neal. Cartree Pettis has two buckets for Milligan,while Hendersonville HS product Torian Sitton has a basket to account for the Buffaloes' scoring.

Updates as they transpire, and thanks for reading...

Lees-McRae/ASU battle in early season matchup

ASU MEN'S BASKETBALL LIVE FROM... HOLMES CONVOCATION CENTER (ASU v. Lees-McRae)

UPDATE 7: Avery alum Dustin Clarke sees his first action of the season with just less than two minutes to play in the ballgame and App State holding a 20-point lead. Clarke grabbed one rebound and missed his lone shot attempt as teh Mountaineers defeat Lees-McRae by a final score of 91-63. 

UPDATE 6: Final media timeout at 3:17 to play in the ballgame, with App State leading 82-62. LMC has cut the lead to as little as 14 in the half, but App State has used its athleticism to get second-shot opportunities and maintain its margin.

UPDATE 5: 7:10 remains in the second half, and App State has a commanding 72-54 lead over Lees-McRae. 

UPDATE 4: The Mountaineers has stretched its lead to 20 at 68-48 with 10:31 to play in the second half. Mike Chambers and Darryl Bond have scored double figures for LMC, while three Mountaineers are in double-figures, led by Mike Neal's 21 points. Hamilton has 16 points, with 11 points from Michael Obacha.

UPDATE 3: App State continues to hold a 17-point advantage at 56-39 at the 15:40 mark of the second half.

UPDATE 2: ASU builds a 17-point lead late in the first half, taking advantage of a number of Bobcats turnovers to lead 47-30. Neal and Hamilton are both in double-figures scoring in the opening half. At halftime, ASU takes a 47-33 lead into the locker room.

UPDATE 1:

App State took the floor for its second men's basketball home game of the 2013-14 season as it took on local Division II rival Lees-McRae College, from nearby Banner Elk.

ASU took control early and built a double-figures lead on the strength of 12 early points from guard Mike Neal. Fellow guard Tab Hamilton poured in eight points midway through the first half as the Mountaineers built a 37-25 advantage with just less than five minutes to play. More updates from Holmes Convocation Center during the contest.

Vols unable to upset Georgia in OT

For a while, it seemed like Rocky Top might be the site of the season’s biggest upset. However, the Volunteers still sent a loud message.

Tennessee saw a fumble roll out of the endzone in their first possession of overtime as they fell 34-31 to No. 6 Georgia on Saturday inside Neyland Stadium. Despite the loss, the Vols sent a message to the rest of the college football world that they aren’t the pushovers as in the past seasons.

"It's another step, another building block,” Tennessee Head Coach Butch Jones said. “We need to learn how to win these football games. That's a part of the process of learning how to win, but you can see it. I can see it evolving. I can see it everyday. I can see it the way we are excelling in the classroom. I can it the way our attention in the meetings. I can see the preparation in practice. I can see it and we're going to need a lot as we continue to move forward but we have very prideful great character kids in our football program."

After trailing 17-3 at the half, Tennessee cut into the deficit midway through the third quarter when Marquez North caught an 18-yard touchdown pass from Justin Worley. The Volunteers tied the game in the closing minute of the third quarter as former Dobyns-Bennett standout Devaun Swafford scooped up a blocked punt and returned it 15-yards for the a touchdown.

Georgia regained the lead on the first play of the fourth quarter, but Tennessee battled back with two touchdowns from Raijon Neal as the Vols took a 31-24 lead with 1:54 remaining. During the drives, Tennessee converted three fourth downs.

However, Aaron Murray marched the Georgia offense down the field and threw a touchdown pass with five seconds remaining to send the game into overtime.

In the first overtime, Tennessee saw their possession end when Pig Howard dived for the endzone, but the ball slipped out inches before touching the pylon for the score. Georgia took over on the touchback and won the game with a 42-yard field goal.

Worley finished the game 17-of-31 for 215 yards and a score, while Neal had 148 yards on 28 carries with two touchdowns.

"I thought Justin probably played his best game,” Jones said. “He was poised. He made the plays. I thought our offensive line played well. Rajion Neal's a warrior. He's playing like we expect our seniors to play. He's giving us everything he has. He's been injured and he's been a warrior. He's added another spark to us."

A.J. Johnson paced the Tennessee defense with 12 total tackles, six of which were solo.

For a program that has saw a signature win elude them for four seasons, the Tennessee players knew how to use the overtime loss in a positive manner without the Jones’ guidance.

"Great thing is I didn't have to be the one to say it,” Jones said. “Other players said it. They talked about a lot to play for and keep building and they can see it. They can see the progress. Obviously I told them that too. They know I love them. We have a saying in our football family, ‘I got your back,’ and everyone has each other's backs."

The Volunteers will have an open week before hosting South Carolina on Oct. 19.

Vols pull away from Kentucky to send seniors out with win

Vols pull away from Kentucky to send seniors out with win

By: Matt Laws (matt.laws@averyjournal.com)

To say it was an unusual senior day in Neyland Stadium on Saturday is at the very least an understatement. However, the Tennessee Volunteers buckled down and made the best of it.

Under the direction of interim head coach Jim Chaney, the Vols scored 17 points in the second half to take a 37-17 victory over Kentucky in the regular season finale on Saturday. Chaney was coaching after Derek Dooley was let go following Tennessee’s disappointing loss to Vanderbilt.

"I couldn't have been happier with the game finished for the senior class,” Chaney said. “They were very good with me all week, the 13 kids who were playing their final game. It was emotional for them on Friday night as we let them speak to the team. And I couldn't be more pleased when they came out today, and the team gathered around one another to get a victory for Tennessee and for the senior class. I'm pretty pleased that that happened.”

For Chaney and the team, it was a great result at the end of a strange week on Rocky Top.

"This week went pretty smoothly,” Chaney said. “At the beginning of the week, it was a little rugged. No question dealing with change is difficult, but as the week progressed, by Friday, I thought we were close to being ready to go play a football game. How they'll react in an environment of an SEC ballgame was what I was unsure about, but I felt when we got the ball and scored, I felt pretty comfortable when the game started.”

In the opening minutes of the game, it didn’t take long for the Tennessee offense to strike. Junior Tyler Bray found senior Zach Rogers for a 21-yard touchdown strike, but the Wildcats answered on their next possession.

AJ Johnson answered for the Vols on their following possession from a yard out to put Tennessee up 14-7 midway through the first.

In the second quarter, Bray hit Justin Hunter for a 42-yard touchdown to extend the Tennessee lead, but the extra point was blocked. Kentucky closed the gap when Jonathon George broke free for a 42-yard touchdown run, and the Wildcats saw a late drive stall in the first half as the Vols held a 20-14 lead at the break.

Kentucky opened the second half with an impressive 15 play drive as they had to settle for a 29-yard field goal with just over seven minutes left in the frame. Mychal Rivera was on the receiving end of Bray’s third touchdown pass of the day as he scored on a 29-yard pass, and then Cordarrelle Patterson caught a 21-yard touchdown pass to push the Tennessee lead to 34-17 lead at the end of the third.

Michael Palardy capped off the scoring in the fourth quarter with a 33-yard field goal.

Bray finished the day 20-of-34 for 293 yards and four touchdowns, while Marlin Lane ran for 75 yards on 10 carries. Senior Rivera ended his final game with five catches on 64 yards, while Patterson ended the day with 88 yards on four catches and 158 total all-purpose yards.

For Chaney, it was great feeling getting the 13 seniors a victory a win in their final game in the orange and white

"It means everything,” Chaney said. “That was the goal at the beginning of the week- how do you refocus a team to get them go out in a victorious manner? We talked about it throughout the week. They decided to make it happen and they did it.”

AJT Sports LIVE FROM....Holmes Convocation Center (ASU Basketball v. High Point)

Update #10:High Point defeats ASU in a lopsided defeat by the final score of 86-64. Jay Canty paced the Mountaineers with 23 points. ASU falls to 1-1 overall, while High Point improves to 2-0. ASU hits the road for its next contest, opening a three-game road trip at Campbell on Friday, Nov. 16.

Thanks for reading!

Update #9: High Point remains in control, leading 76-53 with 7:31 to play in the contest. ASU has been unable to get consistent stops on defense to put together a sizable scoring rally to cut into the Panthers' advantage. Jay Canty leads ASU with 19 points, with 18 points from John Brown and Allan Chaney to pace HPU.

Update #8: High Point leads 68-44 with 11:20 to play in the ballgame. A 9-3 scoring run by the Mountaineers has slightly cut into the Panthers lead, but the squad still has a long way to go.

Update #7: At the 15:16 mark in the second half, ASU is trailing big at 63-35 to an impressive Panthers team from High Point. The Big South Conference had better watch out for this club, as HPU plays hard on both ends of the floor. ASU, meanwhile, needs to regroup, as it has struggled shooting the basketball and its defense has had its share of difficulties matching up with a quick, athletic Panthers team.

Update #6: High Point leads ASU 48-26 at intermission. The first half has definitely been one to forget for the Mountaineers, as the Panthers have shot an astounding 65 percent from the floor for the first half to ASU's 33 percent clip. ASU has been outrebounded 17-14 for the first 20 minutes. Second half about to tip off from Boone!

Update #5: High Point has blitzed the Mountaineers, extending its lead to 46-19 with 1:43 to play in the first half thanks to another 11-2 scoring spurt. The Mountaineers are out of sync and have turned the basketball over with proficiency at the hands of the Panthers. HPU is 19 for 29 from the floor, mostly in the form of either three-pointers or slam dunks.

Update #4: With 5:15 to go, ASU takes a timeout after a 12-5 HPU scoring run to take a 35-18 lead. HPU is lighting up the scoreboard shooting from the floor.

Update #3: With 7:47 to play in the opening half, ASU trails HPU 23-13. John Brown (HPU) leads all scorers with 9 points. Jay Canty and Baskin each have four for the Mountaineers. ASU is shooting only 27 percent from the field, compared to 55 percent for the Panthers.

Update #2: High Point leads 13-9 at the 11:45 mark of the first half. Brown and Dejuan McGaughy have four points each for HPU, while ASU is paced by Tevin Baskin's four points.

Update #1: At the first media timeout, ASU trails High Point 4-2. John Brown has a bucket for HPU, while ASU has a Jay Canty basket. The early story is that ASU starting forward Nate Healy has picked up a pair of quick personal fouls and is relegated to the bench. ASU has made just one of its first eight shots from the floor.

Appalachian State University men's basketball (1-0) hosts High Point University (1-0) this evening in non-conference action.

ASU dominated Montreat 86-54 in its season-opener in Boone on Friday night, Nov. 9. Sophomore guard Tab Hamilton drained six three-pointers in the opening half to help the Mountaineers pull away to an early lead and never look back.

Freshman Frank Eaves scored 16 points in 22 minutes off the bench to aid in the Mountaineers' triumph.

High Point enters tonight's game also off an impressive win, defeating ASU's SoCon brethren UNC-Greensboro 81-73 last week to open its season. John Brown led High Point with 28 points in the victory.

ASU is 36-55 all-time against High Point, but has won each of the last two meetings. In the last meeting between the clubs, High Point overcame a 10-point deficit to tie the score with 34 seconds to play. ASU's Andre Williamson was fouled on ASU's ensuing possession and made one of his two free throws for a one-point edge. The Panthers misfired on a three-pointer as time expired to give ASU the 82-81 triumph.

ASU is seeking its fourth straight home victory dating back to last season, and is an impressive 111-52 since moving to the Holmes Center prior to the start of the 2000-2001 season. A win would be ASU's second 2-0 start in head coach Jason Capel's three seasons in Boone. Prior to Capel, the last coach to begin the season 2-0 with the Mountaineers was Houston Fancher during the 2005-06 season.

ASU has nine fresh faces added to this year's club, including Ashe County product Tommy Spagnolo, who transferred to Boone from Radford and chipped in with six rebounds and four points in the season-opening win over Montreat, as well as former Avery High School standout Dustin Clarke, who transferred from Hartford University. Due to NCAA rules, Clarke must sit out this season, but will suit up for the Black and Gold in 2013-14.

Tipoff from the Holmes Center is slated for 7 p.m. Check back around that time for game updates, news and notes that you can only get straight from courtside with The Avery Journal-Times!

Live From... ORR FIELD (Cloudland v. Midway)

Rineheart scores on a 20 yard run to seal the deal. CHS takes the lead 28-12 with 2:01 to play. Congrats to the Landers who move on to round two next week to take on Coalfield. Thanks for reading!

Update#10: Midway turns the ball over on downs with 2:50 to play. Midway is out of timeouts. CHS ball inside the Midway 20-yard line.

Update #9: CHS punts back to Midway with one final shot to tie the game with just over three minutes to play.

Update #8: Midway scores on a touchdown pass to cut the CHS lead to 20-12 with 5:03 to play in the game. Conv pass no good.

Update #7: Colby Birchfield scores on a 62-yd TD run. Conversion is good. CHS leads 20-6 with 9:32 to play in the game.

Update#6: Rhinehart connects with Whitehead for a 32-yard touchdown. Two-pt conversion failed. CHS leads 12-6 with :04 left in third quarter.

Update #5: CHS misses a 27-yd field goal. 2:29 to play in third qtr. score remains tied at 6-6.

Update #4: score is tied 6-6 at halftime. CHS had one final play to attempt to grab the lead l, but the pass fell incomplete, leaving the game knotted at intermission.

Update #3: a long kickoff return to Midway's two-yard line results in a Taylor Whitehead TD run. PAT by Whitehead blocked. 6-6 with 8:48 to play before halftime.

Update #2: Midway strikes with an 80-yard touchdown pass. PAT fails. 6-0 Midway with 9:50 to play in second qtr.

Update #1: Both teams hold on defense with fourth down stops. Still scoreless late 1st qtr. en of the first qtr and we're scoreless.

We are onsite at Orr Field in Roan Mountain, TN for a Saturday afternoon TSSAA playoff matchup between 7-3 Cloudland Highlanders and 5-5 Midway.

We will be posting updates during this afternoon's contest.

AJT Sports LIVE FROM...Kidd Brewer Stadium (Coastal Carolina at ASU Football)

Update #16: Today's attendance of 27,619 is the 43rd consecutive attendance total above capacity in regular season play. 

ASU  puts up a 7-play, 70-yard drive elapsing 4:20 off the fourth quarter clock, culminating in a 14-yard touchdown run by Michael Frazier, providing the final ASU score in today's lopsided victory. Mountaineers win it with its offense putting up 55 points.

ASU moves to 3-2 on the season, while CCU moves to 2-3 here in 2012. Appalachian hosts Elon next Saturday, Oct. 5, at Kidd Brewer Stadium. Kickoff is slated for 3:30 p.m. against the Phoenix. Thanks for reading!

Colton Blackburn gets into the action with a pair of tackles as he is in on defense here in the game's final five and a half minutes in the fourth quarter.

Also in due to the shakeup of Bryant is Logan Hallock, former West Wilkes quarterback who sees action under center for the first time this season.

Update #15: CCU returns the ensuing kickoff 87 yards, but ASU's defense forces a fumble and recovers to get the football back. Cameron Bryant enters the game at quarterback, relieving Jamal Jackson whose day appears to be done. 

Update #14: ASU strikes again with a nine-yard touchdown pass from Jackson to Sean Price, capping a 15-play, 90-yard drive, elapsing 7:29 off the clock. ASU is cruising as it leads 48-14 with 13:36 left to play.

Update #13: Three quarters are in in the books, and ASU leads 41-14 and is threatening inside the CCU red zone as the fourth quarter opens from Kidd Brewer Stadium.

Update #12: With its first offensive play of the second half, Steven Miller breaks loose for a 75-yard touchdown run. Miller has a career-high in rushing yards this afternoon and ASU leads 41-14 with less than a minute gone in the third quarter.

Update #11: ASU's final offensive series results in a drive to the CCU 13-yard line, where Stewart attempted a 30-yard field goal. The kick is  good and ASU leads 34-14 at intermission.


Update #10: CCU uses a hurry-up offense to move quickly in the final three minutes. driving to the ASU 15-yard line. A pass interference call gives CCU a first-down at the ASU 2-yard line, where CCU connects on the following play with a two-yard TD pass from Hillary to David Durran to cap a 9-play, 75-yard drive, taking 2:19 off the clock. With 1:14 to play before intermission, CCU draws within 31-14.

Update #9: After giving up its first score of the game, ASU moves quickly to answer, driving inside the CCU 10-yard line. CCU stiffens on defense and ASU settles for a 25-yard field goal from Drew Stewart after a 10-play, 55-yard drive taking 3:54 off the second quarter clock. ASU leads it 31-7 with 3:39 left in the half.

Update #8: Coastal composes its best offensive drive and gets on the scoreboard following a nine play, 71-yard drive, with 3:06 used off the clock, with a 20-yard touchdown completion from Aramis Hillary to Blanks. 9:18 remains in the half and ASU's lead is cut to 28-7.

Update #7: The Mountaineers force another CCU punt and add more points to the scoreboard, looking like the ASU teams of old during this first half. Steven Miller scores untouched from three yards out to cap a five-play, 49-yard drive that elapses 2:05 off the clock. The PAT gives ASU a 28-0 lead with 12:32 left in the first half.
ASU has held Coastal to only three first downs for the half and through the first quarter outgained CCU 246-56 in total yardage. Miller has gained 102 yards already in this first half.

Update #6: One period in the books, and ASU holds a commanding 21-0 lead. Second quarter action to come!

Update #5: A great pass reception by Drew Bailey from Jackson of 23 yards caps a four-play, 59-yard scoring drive taking 1:25 off the clock. ASU's lead increases to 21-0 with 14 seconds left in the first period.

Update #4: ASU is on the board with a two-play, 97-yard drive, taking 35 seconds off the clock. A 69-yard touchdown connection from Jackson to Sean Price puts the Mountaineers ahead 14-0 with 4:50 left in the opening stanza.

Update #3: ASU holds CCU to a punt with its first series, but the Mountaineers opened its drive at its own five-yard line. ASU's Jackson throws an interception to strong safety Johnnie Houston at the ASU 41-yard line, giving the Chanticleers great field position for its second series. ASU's defense holds and forces another punt from CCU, but the Mountaineers are again pinned deep in its own territory, this time at the three-yard line with 5:25 left in the first quarter.

Update #2: Former Vikings standout Colton Blackburn has been involved in both kick return and kickoff teams for the Chanticleers thus far. He is listed as second on the middle linebacker depth chart this afternoon.

Update #1: Dreary afternoon in Boone with a temperature around 60 degrees and overcast skies. Rain has come and gone prior to kickoff. 

ASU gets first possession as CCU wins the toss and defers.

ASU makes quick work of the CCU defense on its first series, as Jackson scores on a 9-play, 64-yard drive, elapsing 3:37 off the clock. A five-yard TD run by quarterback Jamal Jackson puts the Mountaineers on top 7-0 with 11:23 to play in the opening period. ASU scores for only the second time this season on its opening series and the first time since the season-opening game at East Carolina on Sept. 1.

The AJT will be blogging this afternoon from Kidd Brewer Stadium in Boone for this afternoon's nonconference football game between Coastal Carolina and Appalachian State.

Newland native and former Avery High School running back/defensive end Colton Blackburn is a linebacker with the Chanticleers and should see some action in today's contest.

ASU (2-2, 1-1 SoCon) rebounded from a 52-28 loss to The Citadel on Sept. 15 to dominate Chattanooga, outgaining the Mocs 401-270 en route to last Saturday's 34-17 win.

Coastal Carolina (2-2) has lost consecutive games at Eastern Kentucky and Toledo after a 2-0 start.

This is ASU and Coastal's third meeting. ASU pounded CCU 30-3 back in 2005 and 45-28 in the first round of the 2006 NCAA FCS playoffs. Both previous matchups were played in Boone.

Kickoff is slated for 3:30 p.m. Thanks for reading!

Vols use strong fourth to pull away from Akron

By: Matt Laws matt.laws@averyjournal.com

For over three quarters of play, Tennessee and Akron kept trading punches. However, the Volunteers landed the knockout blow in the fourth.

After a letdown against SEC rival Florida a week ago in the second half, Tennessee scored 17 points in the fourth quarter to pull away to take a 47-26 victory over Akron on Saturday evening in Neyland Stadium.
"Well, it was a tough game, and I knew it would be,” Tennessee Head Coach Derek Dooley said. “They cause a lot of problems with our offense, but the disappointing part was the turnovers early in the game. We spotted them 10 points on turnovers, but I was real proud of the team in the second half. They came out and dominated the second half 24-3. So that's a good step for the team. We ran the ball well. We threw it well.”

The road, however, doesn’t get an easier for the Vols as they travel to Athens on Saturday to kick off a stretch of four games against Top 25 teams starting with the No. 5 Bulldogs.

In the first half against Akron, it looked like the Zips had upset on the mind. The Zips broke onto the board in the game’s opening minute when Akron’s Avais Commack picked off a Tyler Bray pass and raced 44 yards for a touchdown.

Tennessee responded on their ensuing drive as A.J. Johnson ran into the endzone for his second career touchdown from two-yards out. After the teams swapped field goals to end the first quarter tied at 10, both teams added field goals in the early minute of the second quarter.

Former Tennessee High standout Brendan Downs scored his first touchdown as a Volunteer on a six yard pass from Bray. However, the Zips answered with a 37-yard field goal and a 70-yard touchdown run from Quentin Hines gave Akron a 23-20 lead. Derrick Brodus ended the final Tennessee drive of the first half with a 22-yard FG to tie the game at 23 heading into the locker room.

Rajion Neal opened the scoring in the second half as he was on the receiving end of a three yard touchdown pass from Bray as Tennessee begin to slowly pull away from Akron. The teams traded fieldh goals to start the final frame, and then

Tennessee finally got breathing room when Justin Hunter scored on a 19-yard pass from Bray with 9:02 remaining. Jacob Carter caught his first touchdown pass with six minutes left to give Tennessee the 47-26 victory.

Bray ended the night 27-of-43 with 401 yards and four touchdowns.

"I told Tyler I was really proud of him because he made a lot of mistakes early on,” Dooley said. “He was off. He was rushing. He was getting ant-sy -- I could feel it. He just kept settling in and he played well down the stretch. He had a good demeanor about him. It was a big step for him."

Neal had 22 carries with 151 yards, while Marlin Lane had 47 yards on nine carries. However, Brodus delivered one of the biggest surprises of the night as he tied a school record with most points by a kicker in a game with 17 as he went 4-for-4 and added five extra points.

The Volunteers return to SEC action on Saturday as they travel to Georgia. Game time in Athens is slated for 3:30 p.m., on CBS.

Vols unable to hold off Florida rally

By: Matt Laws

matt.laws@averyjournal.com

 

KNOXVILLE-- The No. 23 Tennessee Volunteer football team was a quarter away from sending a strong message that they were back on the national scene. However, No. 18 Florida had a different idea in the fourth.

Tennessee was unable to respond to a 14 point Florida run in a three minute stretch in the third quarter as the Gators took a 37-20 win in front of a national audience in Neyland Stadium on Saturday night. It was the eighth straight victory over the Vols for Florida.

“We thought we could go toe-to-toe with them for four quarters, yes,” Head Coach Derek Dooley said. “There’s no excuses. We didn’t get it done. Give Florida credit. They did what they needed to do. I don’t know what else to say. We didn’t get it done.”

Tennessee held a 14-10 lead after the break, and Florida added a 25-yard field goal on their opening drive of the second half. However, the Vols responded when AJ Johnson ran into the endzone from a yard out with seven minutes left in the third, and the Tennessee defense stopped Florida on a fake punt on the ensuing drive.

From there, it only got worse for the Volunteers.

Tennessee was forced to punt after a three and out, and Florida took full advantage on their next play as Trey Burton raced 80-yards for a touchdown in a wildcat formation to tie the game at 20.

The next Volunteer drive was stopped when Tyler Bray was intercepted and it only took Florida three plays to cover 70 yards as J. Reed caught a Jeff Driskel pass from 23 yards out.

“We were going pretty good,” Dooley said. “Then it was like it the first football game. We were sitting there and they got the ball with 3 minutes, and 15 seconds to go — is that what it was? At that point, we were ahead in the game. They were doing a good job, a real good job, and there were a lot of shifts and formations. We knew where they were, and it was challenging our ability to adjust. We held up pretty good up until that point. From that point on, we gave up a huge play there. Then we gave it back to them. They go 150 yards in four plays. Big plays. turnovers. We lost both of those. I say it every week: big plays and turnovers.”

From there, it was all Florida as they kept the Tennessee offense stymied as they were held to three and outs on their final three drives, while the Gators scored 10 more points in the final 10 minutes.

“It’s disappointing,” Dooley said. “They’ve got to be hurting in [the locker room] because we came in here expecting to win. We knew it was going to be tough. We had a great game going and we just let it slip away.”

Bray was 22-of-44 for 257 yards and two touchdowns for the Vols, but recorded two costly interceptions. He finished 1-for-9 in the final quarter.

“I thought he was working through the game pretty good,” Dooley said. “In the end, I just want to see it. I don’t know how much to put on Tyler. We just seemed to run out of juice right at the end, on both sides. When the ball broke out, it looked like we were lumbering to get the guy.”

On the ground, Rhajon Neal had 87 yards on 23 carries, while sophomore AJ Johnson recorded a touchdown from Tennessee’s version of the wildcat formation.

Tennessee returns to action on Saturday, Sept. 22, when they host Akron. Kickoff is slated for 7:30 p.m. on CSS.

 

AJT Sports LIVE FROM KIDD BREWER STADIUM (ASU vs The Citadel) Saturday Sept. 15.

Update 22: The final score of the game is Citadel: 52 and ASU: 28

Update 21: ASU's Steven Miller scores a four yard touchdown! The score is now ASU: 28 Citadel:52

Update 20: Injury timeout for ASU's Patrick Blalock

Update 19: ASU's Steven Miller scores a two yard touchdown to raise the score to 21.

Update 18: Citadel's Darien Robinson scores a forty-five yard touchdown to push the score to 52

Update 17: ASU's Tony Washington scores a 22 yard run. The current score is Citadel 45 ASU 14.

Update 16: Bulldogs VanDyke Jones tallies a touchdown to push the score to 45.

Update 15: The Mountaineers start the second half by receiving the ball from the Bulldogs. Tony Washington returns the ball to ASU's 30 yard line giving them a first down.

Update 14: At the end of the first half, the Citadel is still leading with 38 points. The Mountaineers return to their locker room in hopes of regaining the champion mindset they are known for.

Update 13: Citadel's Ben Dupree scores a 46 yard touchdown at the bottom of the second half. The score is currently Citadel: 38 ASU 7 with under a minute remaining in the first half.

Update 12: The Mountaineers finally make it on the score board with a two yard run by Steven Miller. Score is now ASU: 7 Citadel: 31 with just under four minutes remaining in the first half.

Update 11: With a fourth down for the Mountaineers, an attempt is made to punt. The Citadel's Domonic Jones blocked the attempt and Carson Smith recovered the ball for an eight yard touchdown. Score is now Bulldogs: 31 Mountaineers: 0. There is a little over six minutes remaining in the first half.

Update 10: Citadel's Thomas Warren scores a 24 yard field goal to push the Bulldog's lead to 24 with 7:36 minutes remaining in the first half.

Update 9: Injury update: ASU's  Shaq Counts is ready to return to the game and Joel Ross is expected to return to the game shortly.

Update 8: Early in the second quarter. The Bulldogs were able to score another touchdown bringing the score to Citadel: 20 ASU: 0

Update 7: As the clock ran out in the first quarter, the Mountaineers was able to hold the Bulldogs on the ASU 4 yard line. Score at the end of the quarter is Citadel: 14 ASU: 0

Update 6: Injury time out is called for ASU number 63, Shaq Counts. Shortly after, another injury time out is called for number 26, Joel Ross. 38 seconds remaining in the first quarter

Update 5: Citadel's Ben Dupree scores a 51 yard touchdown. Score is currently Citadel: 14 ASU: 0

Update 4: ASU Junior Tony Washington returns the Bulldogs kick 51 yards placing ASU on the Bulldogs 42 yard line.

Update 3: Citadel's Rickey Anderson scores a touchdown early in the first quarter. Score is currently Citadel: 7 ASU: 0

Update 2: The Citadel won the coin toss and chose to receive. ASU will kick to open up the game.

Update 1: With almost thirty minutes till kickoff, the Appalachian State Mountaineers get pumped for the game.


Hello everyone,
I would just like to introduce myself before we get going! My name is Kortnie Curry and I am the sports intern at the Avery Journal-Times. I will be covering the ASU game live today and will keep the blog updated with important progressions in the game. Kick off is at 3:30!!

AJT Sports LIVE FROM... KIDD BREWER STADIUM (Montana v. ASU)

Update #15: Montana has advanced the football to midfield, converting on a big fourth down inside its own 20-yard line. A couple of plays by the defense has Montana at its own 45-yard line on fourth down with 34 seconds to play. The Griz convert another fourth down, however, and move inside ASU territory. ASU;'s McCray picks off a long pass play in the end zone with 18 seconds to play to seal the game and a huge victory. ASU pulls out the victory by a 35-27 final score to move to 1-1 on the season. We'll try to have some photos posted a bit later this evening. Thanks again for reading!

Update #14: Montana's next offensive series is abruptly stopped with an interception from AC Reynolds product Patrick Blaylock. The pick is the first of his collegiate career. ASU takes over with 4:25 left to play. ASU goes three-and-out, however, to give the ball back to the Grizzlies to mount one final offensive attempt to potentially tie the game. Montana will start its series from its own 10-yard line with under three minutes to play.

Update #13: Tonight's attendance is the third largest in Kidd Brewer Stadium history as 30,856 paid to watch this evening's FCS showdown. In the meantime, ASU drives downfield with its slim one-point lead, as Steven Miller, who broke off several runs during the drive, capped it with a two-yard touchdown run to put ASU on top. An 11-play, 78-yard drive took 3:41 off the clock. ASU leads 35-27 with 5:05 to play. It's the second 2 touchdown game of Miller's career.

Update #12: A pass play from McKinney to Dan Moore covers 87 yards in one play. Montana kicker Chris Lider misses the extra point wide right, however, allowing ASU to hold a slim 28-27 lead with 8:54 left in the game.

Update #11: After having a lot of internet connection issues in the third period, we're back online. The score remained unchanged in the third quarter, with the game knotted at 21-21 early in the fourth quarter. ASU is driving with its first series in the final 15 minutes, marching inside the Griz 25-yard line. ASU gets on the board to unlock the tie on a touchdown pass from Jamal Jackson to Andrew Peacock of 25 yards. The PAT gives ASU the 28-21 lead with 13:03 to play. The drive was six plays, 67 yards, with 1:44 elapsed off the clock.

Jamal Jackson extends his school record with nine straight starts with 200 yards passing and 250 total yards, as he has eclipsed both with the most recent scoring drive.

Update #10: A couple of quick halftime stats: Montana leads ASU 306 to 179 in total yards for the first half. Moore leads the Grizzlies with 73 yards rushing on 10 carries. Jamal Jackson leads ASU with 43 yards on nine carries with a touchdown. ASU was not penalized for the first half, although they picked up an illegal block penalty on the opening kickoff of the second half. Time of possession was nearly even, with Jeremy Kimbrough leading ASU with nine tackles in the half.

Update #9: ASU is forced into a three-and-out, giving the ball one final time in the half to Montana with seven seconds left deep in its own territory. Montana opts to run out the remainder of the clock and go into the locker room tied at 21-21. Halftime stats shortly.

Update #8: The contest has become a field position battle, as ASU punts the ball back to UM with 1:42 to play in the half. Running back Dan Moore on two carries has driven Montana inside ASU territory, and a pass to Sam Gratton took the Grizzlies to the ASU 9-yard line as time ticked away in the half. Montana is looking to tie the game here in the final 40 seconds of the half.

A three-yard pass from McKinney to Sam Gratton caps a 70-yard drive consuming six plays and 1:07 off the clock. We're tied 21-21 at The Rock.

Update #7: ASU was forced into the first punt of the contest. Starting at its own 12-yard line, the Griz are eventually forced to also punt back to the Mountaineers, who then are forced to punt after a three-and-out. The teams have exchanged punts a couple of additional times, with ASU holding the football at its own one-yard line to start a drive with 4:20 to play in the first half.

Update #6: Trent McKinney scores on a QB keeper to seal a nine-play, 75-yard drive. The 10-yard run by McKinney is the first of his career. Montana cuts ASU's advantage to 21-14 with 13:12 left in the first half.

Update #5: 15 minutes in the books and ASU leads 21-7, but Montana is driving thanks to a long run by fullback Dan Moore into Appalachian territory. Griz will set up shop at the ASU 35-yard line when the second quarter begins.

Update #4: Montana returner Chase Naccarato coughs up the ensuing kickoff as Henry Barnes forces a fumble and teammate Matt Watson recovers the ball at the Grizzlies 21-yard line. Apps looking to build a two-score lead with great field position. Jamal Jackson scores on a six-yard run, spotting the Mountaineers the 21-7 advantage following a four-play, 21-yard drive elapsing 1:14 off the clock. Still 2:02 to play in the first quarter, and ASU leads 21-7.

Update #3: Montana QB McKinney is picked off in ASU territory by defensive back Demetrious McCray, setting ASU up with field position at its own 40-yard line on the turnover. It's the 7th pick of McCray's career. ASU takes advantage, with the help of a pass interference penalty on fourth down, to gain new life and eventually cap a  nine play, 60-yard drive with a run of 13 yards by Steven Miller. ASU leads Montana 14-7 with 3:23 to play in the first stanza.

Update #2: ASU converts a fourth and inches near midfield, then Jamal Jackson connects two plays later for a 32-yard touchdown pass to wide receiver Sean Price to cap a 9-play 75 yard drive elapsing 2:57 off the clock. Price nabs his first career TD as the Mountaineers tie the game at 7-7 with 9:18 left in the first period.

Update #1: Montana receives the opening kickoff and we are underway from The Rock! Montana earns a first down and on 3rd and 15, Montana completes a 68-yard pass play to the ASU 2-yard line. One play later pass is completed from quarterback Trent McKinney to running back Gavin Hagfirs, capping a seven-play, 75-yard scoring drive elapsing 2:45 off the clock. 12:15 left in the opening period and Montana leads 7-0.    

We're LIVE from Kidd Brewer Stadium in Boone for a HUGE FCS matchup between a pair of perennial powers in the Montana Grizzlies and ASU Mountaineers. ASU is coming off a loss to FBS school East Carolina, while Montana is 1-0 on the season.

Should be a great matchup as we prepare for kickoff. Stay tuned for updates throughout this evening's game. Thanks for reading!

AJT LIVE FROM... Avery Football Fan Frenzy

It's a beautiful Saturday afternoon at MacDonald Stadium for Avery Football Fan Frenzy, a gathering of football playing youth and of cheerleaders from across Avery County Schools. There are activities for kids and opportunities for fans to meet the 2012 edition of the Avery Vikings players and coaches. Football Players and cheerleaders receive free lunch, with concessions available onsite. The Frenzy lasts until 2 pm today. Go Vikings!

Brewer named assistant coach at East/West All-Star football game

Avery football head coach Darrell Brewer will serve as an assistant coach with the West squad at this year's East/West All-Star football game in Greensboro. AHS quarterback Alex Villanueva joins Brewer as a player for the West club.

Avery County native Jimmy Fletcher will serve as head coach for the East squad at the same contest.

AJ-T Sports LIVE FROM... Jack Groce Stadium (Avery Lady Vikings soccer)

UPDATE #7: It's a wrap here at Watauga as the Lady Pioneers hand Avery its first loss of the 2012 season. AHS drops to 2-1-1 on the season as WHS improves to an even 2-2 for the young season.

Thanks for reading!

UPDATE #6: Watauga continues to tally the goals, as Katherine Welsh scores from around 20 yards out in the 57th minute, upping the WHS advantage to 5-0.

UPDATE #5: Baird adds her second goal off the evening off a steal, giving the Lady Pioneers a commanding 4-0 advantage.

UPDATE #4: Kendyl Baird scores off a well-placed assist from Skyler Hicks, staking the Lady Pioneers to a 3-0 lead in the 52nd minute of play.

UPDATE #3: An inadvertent handball in the penalty box gives the Lady Pioneers another penalty kick opportunity. Lillie Brady converts the kick, shootiing low left into the goal past the AHS keeper for a 2-0 Lady Pioneers advantage in the 48th minute of play.

UPDATE #2: Watauga leads the Lady Vikings 1-0 at intermission on a breezy, chilly evening at Jack Groce Stadium. The Lady Pioneers have had several shots on goal and were turned away on all but one opportunity. Avery meanwhile has had few good looks at the WHS goal thus far through 40 minutes. Second half to come!

UPDATE #1: A handball was called against Avery in the box in the 21st minute, and WHS's Lydia Mauney fired the penalty kick into the back of the net for the first goal of the match. Watauga leads Avery 1-0.

We're LIVE at Jack Groce Stadium in Boone for a non-conference soccer match between Avery High Lady Vikings and Watauga Lady Pioneers. Avery is 2-0-1 on the season, coming off a scoreless tie on Tuesday against Chase. Watauga is 1-2, coming off a 4-0 home loss earlier this week to AC Reynolds.

We'll be providing updates throughout the match. Thanks for reading!

SoCon Quarterfinal Saturday

UPDATE #12: UNCG holds off the ASU upset bid by a 65-55 final score. ASU doesn't make a field goal for the final 12:55 of the contest, while UNCG finds the second gear to pull off the win. UNCG will move on to play the Western Carolina/Wofford winner in tomorrow evening's first semifinal contest. Postgame press conference, then hopefully a quick recap following. ASU ends its season with a 13-18 record. Thanks for reading!.

UPDATE #11: UNCG has its largest lead of the game, four points, at 59-55 at the final media timeout at 3:40. ASU has not shot the ball well from the field for much of the second half. UNCG has found success from medium range shooting the basketball, and has improved rebounding on both ends of the floor to get back into the contest. A berth in Sunday's semifinal is on the line.

UPDATE #10: 7:46 remains in the contest and the Spartans have rebounded from an 11-point second-half deficit to knot the contest at 51-51. UNCG has outscored ASU 13-1 over a 5:05 span to make this a new ballgame.

UPDATE #9: A 7-0 UNCG run has cut the lead to three at 49-46. ASU takes a timeout to talk things over at the 9:46 mark.

UPDATE #8: ASU holds a 49-39 lead with 11:45 left on the second half clock. UNCG has improved its offensive rebounding in the second half, but are still missing a number of shots within five feet of the basket.

ASU has been hustling hard throughout this game, and looks to be the hungrier team to this point. Lots of time remaining and anything can happen, especially in tournament play.

UPDATE #7: ASU has stretched its lead to 49-38 after a couple of easy missed shots, one a dunk and the other a layup, from UNCG. A steal and Nate Healy layup pushed ASU's lead past double-figures for the first time today with 12:55 left to play, forcing a UNCG timeout.

UPDATE #6: ASU shot 52 percent from the floor in the first half, and continues to shoot well, holding a 43-35 lead with 15:58 to play in the game. An Andre Williamson field goal and Butts score off an offensive rebound has been the scoring in the half thus far for the Mountaineers

UPDATE #5: At intermission, ASU leads UNCG 39-32. A field goal at the buzzer just inside the three-point arc by Jamaal Trice spots the Mountaineers the seven-point halftime edge.


UPDATE #4: With 3:49 to play in the opening half, ASU holds a slim 28-26 lead. The Mountaineers offense, which started with a hot streak, has suddenly gone stone cold from the field, missing its last four shots in a row. UNCG is starting to heat up, but isn't setting the world on fire with its shooting, either.

UPDATE #3: With 6:29 to play in the opening half, ASU holds a 28-22 lead over UNCG. Butts continues to be a force inside on offense with 10 points, with 10 from Carter. David Williams has six points to lead UNCG. ASU has rebounded well, specifically on the defensive end of the floor thus far, while Butts has cleaned up several offensive putbacks.

UPDATE #2: With 11:43 to play in the first half, ASU trails UNCG 16-15. Isaac Butts has been active for the Mountaineers with six points, while UNCG has somewhat spread the scoring around to grab its slim lead. The winner of today's game takes on the winner of our next game between Western Carolina and Wofford.

UPDATE #1:  ASU holds a narrow 9-7 lead at the 15:33 mark. Omar Carter has a three-pointer and five points total as the Mountaineers built an early 7-2 lead, but a three-pointer by Trevis Simpson helped bring UNCG back to knot the score. A Williamson basket prior to the first media timeout gives ASU the slim two-point lead.

We're back for day two of the Southern Conference men's basketball tournament. It's ASU taking on UNC-Greensboro in the first game of the day. UNCG is the top seed out of the Northern Division, with ASU the fourth seed.

ASU hopes to build on its 93-81 win over Charleston on Friday, while today marks UNCG's first tourney game after yesterday's bye.

We'll be here throughout the game with updates on the contest, as well as a wrapup following the contest.

Southern Conference Tournament Update

In the closest game of the opening round, Furman and Samford go down to the wire for the right to face Davidson in Saturday's quarterfinal round.

The Paladins hold on with late free throws to capture the victory by the final score of 75-66 and advance. The final game of the first round pits Chattanooga against Georgia Southern.

ASU head coach Jason Capel, with players Isaac Butts and Omar Carter, discuss the Mountaineers' 93-81 win over College of Charleston in the first round of the 2012 Southern Conference Men's Basketball Tournament.

College of Charleston SoCon Tournament Postgame Interview session

College of Charleston head coach Mark Byington and select players discuss its tournament first-round contest against Appalachian State University.

AJT Sports LIVE FROM... ExploreAsheville.com Arena (SoCon Men's Basketball Tournament)

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UPDATE #7: ASU defeats Charleston 93-81          to advance to to the tournament quarterfinals. Charleston has mounted an admirable comeback from a large deficit, but today appears to be ASU's day. The Mountaineers will take on the North Division top seed UNC-Greensboro at noon tomorrow (Saturday).

Omar Carter has 21 points, with 22 from Mike Neal, 15 points from Tab Hamilton and 11 from Ike Butts.

UPDATE #6: After ASU holds a lead as large as 16 points, CofC has been raining three-pointers, cutting the Mountaineer advantage to only eight points at 82-74 with 2:03 to play in the game. ASU will need to make free throws down the stretch to protect its advantage.

UPDATE #5: The Mountaineers' lead has been extended to 69-55 with 5:42 to play. Omar Carter has a pair of three-pointers over the past four minutes, while ASU has crashed the boards with a passion. Ike Butts has chipped in with 11 thus far for ASU.

CofC has three players in double-figures, led by Wiedeman's 14.

UPDATE #4: ASU leads 54-46 with 11:30 and counting to play in the ballgame.. Tab Hamilton has 11 points for the Mountaineers, while Trent Wiedeman paces CofC with 14 points.

UPDATE #3: We are at halftime in Asheville and ASU holds a 33-30 lead over College of Charleston. App held a lead of close to 10 points before the CofC comeback late in the half. Second half action to come!

UPDATE #2: CofC has cut the ASU lead to 26-22 with 3:35 left in the first half. Andre Williamson leads the Mountaineers with six points, while Wiedeman's eight points still leads the Cougars.

Update #1: ASU has gone on a scoring run to take a 26-19 lead lead with under five minutes to play in the first half. Mike Neal has five points, as does Isaac Butts. The Mountaineers have also hit a pair of three-point baskets in the half thus far. Trent Wiedeman is pacing the Cougars with eight points.

From ExploreAsheville.com Arena (formerly known as Asheville Civic Center) it's the 2012 Southern Conference Men's Basketball Tournament.

With 12:30 left to play in the first half, College of Charleston and Appalachian State are tied at 7-7..ASU is the visiting club as the #4 seed out of the North, with CofC playing as the No. 3 seed out of the South Division.

We'll be updating progress throughout not only the ASU game, but each of today's first-round contests, including Western Carolina v. The Citadel (2 p.m.), Samford v. Furman (6 p.m.) and Georgia Southern v. Chattanooga (8:30 p.m.)

AJT Sports LIVE FROM...HOLMES CONVOCATION CENTER (Elon vs. ASU)

UPDATE #9: ASU wins it 76-64 over Winthrop for its 12th win of the season. Butts finished with 15 points and unofficially 15 rebounds. Solid non-conference win for the Mountaineers.

UPDATE #8: ASU holds a 70-62 lead with 3:15 left to play. Morgan has scored 22 for the Eagles, while Neal has come alive for ASU with six in the half, along with seven points from Healy.

UPDATE #7: Winthrop has made it a ballgame, taking a 58-57 lead  with 7:43 to play. Following a timeout, ASU answers with a Neal three-pointer to regain the lead with under seven minutes to play. ASU leads 60-58 with 6:50 to play in the game. Morgan leads WU with 20 points, while Carter leads ASU with 15 points. ASU is only 7-of-19 shooting from the field in the second half, while Winthrop has made 10-for 23 shots.

UPDATE #6: ASU leads 49-44 with 15:54 to play. Butts already has a double-double for the game with 11 points and 11 rebounds, while Middleton continues to lead Winthrop with 13 points.

UPDATE #5: ASU leads Winthrop 41-35 at halftime. Hamilton has scored nine points, but Carter and Butts each have 11 points to pace ASU. Middleton and Morgan has combined for 24 of Winthrop's 35 first-half points.

UPDATE #4:  ASU's lead has been trimmed from 24-10 to 34-28 with 3:43 to play in the half. Middleton has remained in the game for Winthrop and has scored 10 points, with nine from Morgan. Butts leads ASU with 11 points, with 10 from Carter and five points from Tab Hamilton. Winthrop has shot 50 percent from the floor, while ASU is at 48 percent.

UPDATE #3: ASU leads 28-17 with 7:35 left in the opening half. Carter and Butts have combined for 19 points, while ASU has dominated the rebounding margin 17-6 thus far. Reggie Middleton has five points for Winthrop, but also has two fouls.

UPDATE #2: At the 11:28 mark of the first half, the Mountaineers hold an early 21-8 lead. Carter has 10 points already for ASU, with six points from Butts. Matt Morgan paces Winthrop with five points.

UPDATE #1:  Ike Butts has been a FORCE so far in the opening four minutes, as has Omar Carter has eight points, with four points and six rebounds by Butts in the opening five minutes. ASU leads 14-4 at the 14:16 mark of the first half.

We are LIVE from Holmes Convocation Center in Boone for today's Sears Bracketbusters men's college basketball game between Winthrop (11-17) and ASU (11-15).

Today is Senior Day at The Rock, as Isaac Butts, Omar Carter, Petey Hausley and Andre Williamson suit up for the final time to play before the home crowd. ASU hopes to build momentum off its 79-70 victory Wednesday against Chattanooga, while Winthrop is reeling, having lost three of its last four, including a 48-45 loss to Presbyterian last Tuesday, Feb. 14.

Freshman Mike Neal poured in a career-best 23 points along with five rebounds and three assists. The point guard has led ASU in scoring in each of the last three games.

Andre Jones scores 16.9 out of Winthrop's 63.9 points per game, while Reggie Middleton also reaches double figures at 12.2 points per game.  George Valentine adds 7.9 rebounds, 8.8 points and more than a block per game.

ASU improved to 4-1 in the all-time series with the Eagles following a 70-51 win in 2009-10. Led by 20 points from Jeremi Booth, the Mountaineers cruised to a 70-39 lead with five minutes to play in the game
before going cold and allowing Winthrop to score the game’s final 12 points.

Isaac Butts notched a double-double with 15 points and 10 rebounds in the contest, while Andre Williamson hauled in 10 rebounds of his own against the eventual Big South Conference champion.

We'll be providing updates throughout the game, scheduled to tip off at 2 p.m. Thanks for reading!