BOONE, N.C. – Appalachian State University men's basketball returns home when it plays host to Duquesne at 7 p.m. on Wednesday at the Holmes Center.
The Mountaineers (1-4) will look to snap a four-game losing streak while the Dukes (2-3) hope to bounce back from a loss to North Dakota State on Tuesday.
Wednesday's contest is Appalachian's first home game since Nov. 13 and will be its final home contest before beginning a season-long four-game road trip.
The evening will also serve as the Chamber and Community Showcase Night for the Boone Chamber of Commerce. Various local businesses will be set up on the main concourse of the Holmes Center beginning at 5:30 p.m. as fans can see what local small businesses have to offer.
SCOUTING THE DUKES
• Duquesne enters Wednesday's contest with a 2-3 record on the season after defeating Youngstown State, 84-74, a week ago.
• The Dukes played three games in three days as a part of the Progressive Legends Classic last week.
• Duquesne picked up a 90-88 overtime win over James Madison on Monday before falling to North Dakota State, 57-43, on Tuesday night.
• The Dukes opened the season with back-to-back losses against Albany and Georgetown.
• Duquesne features three players who are averaging better than 10 points per game this season.
• Sean Johnson leads the Dukes with 13.4 points per game while Derrick Colters (11.8 ppg) and Quevyn Winters (10.8 ppg) have also been solid contributors.
• Duquesne has struggled on the offensive end of the floor this season as it has shot just .399 (118-of-296) from the floor and has bene held under 70 points in three of its first five games.
• Opponents have also taken advantage of the Dukes' defense, which has allowed teams to shoot at a clip of .425 (128-of-301).
• Duquesne has excelled on the boards as they average 41.0 rebounds per game, a full 5.2 rebounds better than its opponents.
SERIES HISTORY
• The Mountaineers are 1-0 all-time against Duquesne, picking up a 71-68 victory on New Year's Eve in 2005.
• Appalachian, which held a 15-point lead in the first half, saw the Dukes come all the way back to take a 10-point lead in the second before the game was knotted at 67-67 in the final three minutes.
• The App State defense clamped down and did not allow a field goal the rest of the way as Nate Cranford hit four free throws to seal the victory.
• The Mountaineers shot just .387 (24-of-62) in the contest while Duquesne shot .455 (25-of-55) from the floor and drilled 10 three-point shots.
• Despite being outshot by Duquesne, Appalachian State finished with a 38-33 edge in rebounds.
• The Apps also connected on 15-of-18 free throws while the Dukes hit just eight shots from the charity stripe.
• Appalachian scored 18 points off 14 Duquesne turnovers and finished with a 28-22 edge in points in the paint.
GLANCING AHEAD
• Appalachian State begins a season-high four-game road trip starting with a matchup at Missouri on Dec. 1.
• The Apps open SoCon play on Dec. 8 at Western Carolina before making trips to UMKC (Dec. 16) and South Carolina (Dec. 19).
• Appalachian closes out 2012 and the season's non-conference slate with back-to-back home games against Presbyterian (Dec. 22) and Milligan (Dec. 30).
