UNC-Greensboro 63, Appalachian St. 46

3/8/2008 5:07 PM

By PETE IACOBELLI
AP Sports Writer

NORTH CHARLESTON, S.C. (AP) -Kyle Hines had 20 points to lead UNC Greensboro into the Southern Conference semifinals with a 63-46 victory over Appalachian State on Saturday.

Hines, a senior, extended his streak of games with double-figure scoring to 80. He had not been held under 10 points since early in his sophomore season.

If Hines and the fifth-seeded Spartans (19-11) want to keep rolling, they'll have the league's toughest test ahead in No. 25 Davidson.

The Wildcats, seeking their third straight Southern Conference tournament crown, earlier defeated Wofford 82-49.

The Spartans had not advanced this far since losing in the 2005 championship game. That year, they defeated Davidson in the tournament semis.

Hines added 10 rebounds, his 13th double-double of the season.

The Spartans' star had trouble early on as fourth-seeded Appalachian State (18-13) shuttled in a steady stream of big bodies to corral him.

Hines, though, took over after halftime. He scored 13 straight points in a run that included three old fashioned three-point plays.

His final three-point play was especially critical as Appalachian State had shrunk a 13-point lead to 40-34 with 8:23 to go.

On the Spartans' next trip down, Hines flashed around defender Jeremy Clayton, caught the pass and got fouled as he made the basket.

Hines hit the foul shot to regain control for UNC Greensboro.

Clayton led Appalachian State with 13 points. Minter, the Mountaineers' leading scorer, fouled out with 4 points, 10 fewer than his average.

Hines and the Spartans had trouble finding their rhythm at first, trailing Appalachian State 16-15.

Then UNC Greensboro took off on a 13-0 run to gain control. Hines had a jumper during the charge, which was closed by Kendall Toney's jumper with 1:25 to play.

The Mountaineers got themselves back in it. Clayton had a basket and Kellen Brand a 3-pointer to cut it to 28-21 at halftime.