BOONE, N.C. -- Appalachian State men's basketball will open Sun Belt play on Friday by hosting Texas State inside the Holmes Center. Tip is set for approximately 7:30 p.m.
TICKETS
Tickets are still available for all remaining Appalachian State men's basketball home games. Appalachian State basketball single game tickets can be purchased online by clicking
 here, by phone atÂ
(828) 262-2079Â or in person at the Appalachian State athletics ticket office, located at the Holmes Center (Monday - Friday; 9 a.m. - 4 p.m.).Â
THE SERIES
- Texas State holds a 4-3 lead in the all-time series.
- The Bobcats have won the last three matchups, including a 67-58 victory in San Marcos last season and a 68-55 win in Boone.
LAST TIME OUT
- The Mountaineers fell in their non-conference finale at Hampton by an 86-53 score on December 20.
- Ronshad Shabazz paced the Black and Gold with a team-high 17 points, four rebounds and a steal
- Justin Forrest added 12 points (10 in the second half), three rebounds and a career-high four steals. Isaac Johnson added 10 points, seven rebounds, two assists and a season-high tying two steals.
- Appalachian State raced out to an 18-12 lead midway through the first half, only to see the Pirates counter with eight straight points to take a 20-18 lead. After two Mountaineer free throws, Hampton closed the half on a 19-2 run to take a 39-22 lead into the break and never looked back.
SCOUTING THE MOUNTAINEERS
- App State (5-8) enters play with a perfect 4-0 mark at the Holmes Center this season.
- In their four wins at the Holmes Center, the Apps are averaging 98.0 ppg and winning by an average margin of 34.5 points (98.0-53.5). In addition, the Mountaineers are shooting 52.7 percent (138-of-262) from the field and are limiting opponents to just 32.0 percent (80-of-250) shooting inside the Holmes Center.
- On the season, Shabazz leads the team in scoring at 20.9 ppg, which also ranks fourth in the Sun Belt. Shabazz has now scored 1,146 points in his career, which ranks 28th in program history and is just 21 points shy of passing Noah Brown for 27th all-time.
- As a team, the Mountaineers leads the Sun Belt in rebounds per game (41.62), total rebounds (541), three-pointers made (129), defensive rebounds per game (28.92) and three-pointers made per game (9.9).
SCOUTING THE BOBCATS
- Texas State enters at 7-6 on the season after defeating Rice 74-66 on December 22.
- Nijal Pearson paced the Bobcats with 18 points, five rebounds, three assists and three steals. Marlin Davis added 15 points and Immanuel King posted a double-double with 15 points and 11 rebounds.
- On the season, Pearson leads the team in scoring at 14.3 ppg and ranks second in both rebounding (6.0 rpg) and steals (16). King is also averaging double figures (10.1 ppg) and also leads the team in rebounding at 6.6 rpg.
NEXT UP
- The Mountaineers will be right back at it on Sunday, as they play host to UT Arlington inside the Holmes Center. Tip is scheduled for 2:30 p.m.
