BOONE, N.C.- In a heated match Wednesday afternoon, Appalachian State University men's tennis fell just short to league foe Furman, as the Apps dropped a tough 5-2 decision to the Paladins. With the win, ASU drops to 9-5 on the season and 1-3 in SoCon play, while FU improves to 11-6 overall and 1-0 in the SoCon.

The hotly contested battle between the two squads began in doubles play as each doubles match went into a tiebreaker.

The duo of Trent Constance and Peter Jacobs got the Mountaineers off to a strong start as the pair earned a 9-7 win over their competition at the number two spot. The team of Britton Webb and Philip Kloc came up just short, falling 9-8 at the number three position and Bobby Lake and Lee Floyd dropped a heartbreaker at the number one spot, falling 9-8 to Andy Juc and Bo Ladyman to give the Paladins the early 1-0 advantage.

In singles action, Lake lost to Juc at the number one spot in two sets 6-2, 6-2 while Constance also fell to his opponent by the same margin at the number two position.

Despite being down 3-0, the Mountaineers rallied a comeback as Floyd was victorious over Philipp Fuekell, winning in two hard fought sets 6-4. 6-4. Freshman Philip Kloc kept the Black and Gold's momentum going as he defeated Jordan Walters in three sets, 6-0, 1-6 and 6-4.

Jacobs continued with ASU's impressive play as he came back after dropping the first set 6-0 to Daniel Knause to win the next 6-4 before losing the third set in thrilling fashion 7-6.

Humblet was also unable to earn a win at the six spot.

The match was the closest Appalachian has played Furman since the 2003 season.

Appalachian returns to action Saturday March 21 as the Apps take on SoCon newcomer Samford at 10 a.m. in Birmingham, Ala.