Mountaineers Look to Keep Perfect Home Record Intact on Thursday

BOONE, N.C. -- Appalachian State men's basketball will put its perfect home record on the line on Thursday evening, hosting Georgia State at 7:30 p.m. inside the Holmes Center.

TICKETS

App State has partnered with the Hunger and Health Coalition to collect food items. When the gates open at 4 p.m., fans can bring any three non-perishable foods to the gates at Holmes Center. Any store-bought, non-expired goods will be accepted, but there is a special need for peanut butter, oatmeal/rolled oats, dry beans, rice, pastas, breakfast cereals, jelly, tuna, spaghetti sauce and all canned fruits and vegetables. Fans that supply three items will be given one free ticket to be used at that game. Only one ticket will be given per group.

Tickets are still available for all remaining Appalachian State men's and women's home basketball games. Appalachian State basketball single game tickets can be purchased online by clicking here, by phone at (828) 262-2079 or in person at the Appalachian State athletics ticket office, located at the Holmes Center (Monday - Friday; 9 a.m. - 4 p.m.). 

THE SERIES

• These two teams will meet for the ninth time, with the Black and Gold holding a 5-3 advantage in the series.
• The teams split their two meetings last season, with each winning on their home floor. App State won 77-72 in Boone and the Panthers won in Georgia 83-72.
• The Mountaineers are a perfect 4-0 against Georgia State at home.

LAST TIME OUT

• App State posted a 79-73 road victory at UL Monroe on Saturday.
• Ronshad Shabazz had a game-high 22 points and tied his career-high with six assists.
• Justin Forrest added 15 points, five rebounds, four assists and two steals.
• Off the bench, O'Showen Williams scored 12 points and pulled down six rebounds, while Craig Hinton had 11 points and two blocks.
• The Black and Gold scored 13 of the final 15 points of the game, overcoming a 10-point second half deficit.

SCOUTING THE MOUNTAINEERS

• By virtue of their win at UL Monroe, the Mountaineers improved to 8-9 on the season and 3-1 in the Sun Belt.
• Appalachian stands at 6-0 on the season, which is their first 6-0 start at home since the 2004-05 season. The last time the Mountaineers won their first seven games at home was during the 2002-03 season, when the Apps son 12 straight in Boone to open the season.
• In their six home games, App State is averaging 89.7 points and winning by an average of 31.0 points (89.7-58.7). In addition, the Mountaineers are holding opponents to 34.9 percent (129-of-370) shooting inside the Holmes Center and limiting opponents to 23.9 percent (32-of-134) shooting from deep.
• Shabazz has scored 20 or more points in three of last four games and is averaging 17.8 points, 3.8 assists and 1.3 steals during that span.
• Hinton has enjoyed a nice start to Sun Belt play, reaching double figures in three contests. During that stretch, Hinton is averaging 8.3 points, 4.3 rebounds and 1.3 blocks.
• Tyrell Johnson has recorded three blocks in two of his last three games and currently leads the team with 27 on the season.

SCOUTING THE PANTHERS

• Georgia State stands at 11-6 on the season and 2-2 in the Sun Belt after posting a 73-64 win over Little Rock on Thursday and a 79-75 victory over Arkansas State on Saturday.
• D'Marcus Simonds is the reigning Sun Belt Player of the Week, after averaging 27.0 points, 7.0 rebounds and 4.0 assists in Georgia State's two wins last week.
• Simonds currently leads the Sun Belt in scoring, averaging 21.8 ppg. He also is tops on the Panthers in both assists (76) and steals (33).
• Devin Mitchell is averaging 11.6 ppg and Malik Benlevi is also averaging double figures at 10.1 ppg, while pulling down a team-high 6.2 rpg.

NEXT UP

• The Mountaineers will welcome Georgia Southern to the Holmes Center on Saturday during Alumni Day festivities. Tip is scheduled for approximately 3:30 p.m.