Men's Basketball to Take On Akron in Non-Conference Meeting on Saturday

AKRON, Ohio -- Appalachian State men's basketball will continue its four-game road swing on Saturday, by taking on Akron at 2 p.m. on Saturday. The contest will be broadcast on ESPN3.

THE SERIES

• This will be the first meeting between the two schools.

LAST TIME OUT

•  The Mountaineers dropped a 72-71 decision at Western Carolina on Monday evening.
• The Apps used a late 9-0 run in the final minutes, but fell in the final moments of the contest.
• Justin Forrest led App State with 18 points, including a 5-of-9 (55.6 percent) mark on three-pointers.
• Ronshad Shabazz added 16 points and three assists, while Tyrell Johnson tallied 13 points on 6-of-8 (75.0 percent) shooting, five rebounds and three blocks.
• Isaac Johnson posted his second straight double digit rebounding game, finishing with 11.

SCOUTING THE MOUNTAINEERS

• App State stands at 5-5 on the season.
• The Apps continue to be one of the best rebounding teams in the nation, ranking fifth in total rebounds (446) and sixth in rebounds per game (44.6). Appalachian is also eighth in defensive rebounds per game (31.00).
• Shabazz leads the team in scoring at 21.4 ppg. His average is 21st in the nation and second in the Sun Belt. In addition, Shabazz's 214 total points rank 12th in the country.
• Forrest is also averaging double figures at 17.2 ppg. He is also tied for second on the team in steals with 11.
• Isaac Johnson has been a monster on the glass this season, leading the team in rebounding at 8.7 rpg. He also ranks 30th in the nation with 87 total rebounds.

SCOUTING THE ZIPS

• Akron enters at 4-2 overall after topping IPFW 83-79 on Saturday.
• Emmanuel Olojakpoke posted a career-high 24 points in the victory, to go along with seven rebounds and four blocks.
• Jimond Ivey added 12 points and Daniel Utomi finished with 11 points.
• On the season, Utomi leads the team in scoring at 20.2 ppg, while also pulling down a team-best 6.7 rpg.
• Ivey and Malcolm Duvivier are also averaging double figures at 10.8 pgg and 10.5 ppg, respectively.

NEXT UP

• The Mountaineers will make a return trip back to Ohio on December 16, taking on Ohio State at 6 p.m. The game will also be broadcast on Big Ten Network.