BOONE, N.C. - Appalachian State University men's basketball closes out a three game homestand with a visit from rival Western Carolina. Tipoff is set for 7 p.m. at the Holmes Center. ASU Faculty and Staff are eligible to purchase tickets for $5 to the contest.
The Mountaineers (12-13, 8-7 SoCon) have won four-straight games, including last Saturday's 78-68 victory against division leader Chattanooga. ASU is now 7-2 at home on the year and holds a 99-46 record at the Holmes Center.
Omar Carter scored 10 points during a 14-0 run in the second half that gave the Mountaineers a double-figure lead for the remainder of the game on Saturday. Carter finished with a game-high 22 points and seven rebounds.
Thursday's game has implications for both teams, as ASU is a game and a half behind the Catamounts for second place in the division, while WCU is half a game behind Chattanooga.
The game is ASU Faculty/Staff Night. University employees are eligible for $5 tickets. Tickets can be purchased by calling the ASU ticket office at 262-2079 or on the night of the game. Limit four tickets per Faculty/Staff member.
Scouting Western Carolina (13-13, 9-5)
• The Catamounts bring a four-game winning streak of their own to the Holmes Center on Thursday having defeated the same four SoCon North opponents as the Mountaineers.
• Three players average double-figure points for Western Carolina, including Mike Williams at 14.7 points per game. Trey Sumler and Richie Gordon combine for 22.0 points per game as well.
• Gordon's 5.3 rebounds per game lead the team, which averages a 36.5-35.0 rebound advantage over the opposition.
• WCU is just 2-5 in SoCon road games, as the squad is a perfect 9-0 at home and 7-0 in home league games.
• Despite sinking all 17 attempts against ASU last month, Western Carolina ranks last in the league in free throw percentage, at 64.3 percent.
Series History
• Appalachian holds a commanding 110-64 lead in the all-time series despite a rare slip-up in this season's first meeting.
• Western Carolina won just its second game in the last 14 tries with a 79-78 buzzer-beating win on its home floor last month.
• Four ASU players scored in double figures in the contest, led by Carter's 19 points and eight rebounds. Donald Sims added 18, while Andre Williamson chipped in 14 points.
• Marcus Wright sank 4-of-5 attempts in the game, including a late go-ahead basket, to tally 10 points. Petey Hausley also scored nine in the game.
• The Mountaineers are a solid 58-21 on their home floor in the series, including a six-game winning streak at the Holmes Center.
• In seven career games against the Catamounts, Sims averages 18.9 points per game on 53.8 percent shooting.
• Wright scores 10.3 points per game with 3.3 assists in four meetings against WCU.
• The teams finished first and second in the SoCon North last season.
