BIRMINGHAM, Ala. - Behind solid shooting and rebounding, Appalachian State University men's basketball built an early lead against Samford and held off a late rally for a 68-55 win on Thursday evening.

Donald Sims scored 13 points, including five in the final minutes, to lead the Mountaineers, while Kellen Brand and Ryann Abraham also reached double figures with 11 each.

Andre Williamson hauled in a game-high seven rebounds as the Apps (12-8, 6-3 SoCon) owned a 37-23 advantage on the glass.

Appalachian opened an 11-point lead early on at 14-3 and held Samford to just five first-half field goals, including three three-pointers and a pair of layups.

A Williamson dunk in the final minute before halftime increased the lead to 20 points, at 38-18. The 18 first-half points were the second-fewest allowed by ASU this season.

Samford (9-12, 3-6) heated up coming out of the intermission and scored the first 13 points of the second half in the first four minutes, behind the hot hand of Josh Davis, who sank seven three-pointers and finished with a game-high 25 points.

The Apps regrouped with a 5-0 run before the Bulldogs responded by cutting their deficit to just six points with 10:45 remaining in regulation.

The game would never get any closer as Appalachian wrapped up the game with eight of the game's final 13 points, including five free throws and a three-point play from Sims.

The Mountaineers shot 51.1 percent from the floor compared to 39.5 for Samford. ASU sank 8-of-18 three-pointers, while the Bulldogs attempted 31 treys and just 12 two-pointers. SU converted 12 of the long attempts for 38.7 percent.

Jeremi Booth scored all eight of his points in the first 10 minutes of the game and Isaac Butts added seven points, six rebounds and a team-best two steals.

The win was ASU's first against Samford in three all-time meetings.

By virtue of Chattanooga's 80-67 win against Western Carolina, the Apps move into a tie for first place in the SoCon North division. ASU is 4-0 against division foes and will face the Mocs on Saturday at 7:30 p.m.