Vanderbilt was able to weather the storm.

The Commodores defeated Appalachian State 86-73 on Sunday at Memorial Gym in Nashville, Tenn. The Mountaineers (2-2) are a Division I-AA team that posed little threat.

Guard Donald Sims poured in a game-high 27 points on 9-of-19 shooting for the Mountaineers, who hadn’t beaten Vanderbilt since the 2006-07 season.

Vanderbilt (5-1) responded with big performances from guard John Jenkins, center Festus Ezeli and forward Lance Goulbourne. They combined for 56 points, a team-high 21 coming from Jenkins.

Vanderbilt led 43-36 at the half.