Terriers celebrate their SOCON Tournament Championship
The question all night in the Southern Conference Tournament Championship Game was, could Wofford hold on? The answer? Yes, but barely. The Terriers jumped out to a 16 point first half lead, led by 18 early in the second half, then fought to hold off Appalachian State over the final 17 minutes to win the Southern Conference Tournament Championship 56-51 Monday night in Charlotte. The win gives Wofford its first ever SOCON Tournament title and first ever bid to the NCAA Tournament.
AUDIO: Wofford news conference with Mike Young, Cameron Rundles and Noah Dahlman
Mike Young
The Terriers led 36-18 with 19:28 to play but Appalachian gradually whittled away at the lead. The Mountainners pulled to within 10 points with 14:43 to play. They got to within five with 5:15 left. And they were down by just four points on five different ocassions over the final 2:28. But the Terriers were steady at the foul line making 10 of their final 14 free throws and wouldn’t let the Mountaineers get any closer than four points.
AUDIO: Mike Young
Noah Dahlman
Cameron Rundles led the Terriers with 20 points off the bench. Noah Dahlman, the tournament’s MVP, had 10 points and 8 rebounds. The Terriers improve to 26-8 with their 13th straight win, and their 19th win in their last 20 games. Wofford joins Winthrop as Palmetto State teams with spots in the Field of 65. Clemson is expected to join them, either by winning the ACC Tournament or with an at-large bid.
