Box Score BOONE, N.C. -- Frank Eaves scored a game-high 20 points and Chris Burgess added 17 points and a game-best six assists but it wasn't enough for Appalachian State University men's basketball to overcome hot-shooting Furman in a 79-70 loss to the Paladins on Tuesday evening at the Holmes Center.

The Mountaineers (1-1) started off rather sluggish to begin the game and built themselves an early deficit down 18-9, at which point a 7-0 run sparked by a Michael Obacha layup. The Apps got to within one point following a Burgess three-pointer at the 6:45 mark of the first half.

Down 24-21, an Eaves triple tied the game for the first time with 3:49 left. Another Eaves three less than two minutes later gave Appalachian a 27-26 lead over the Paladins (2-0), however, a 6-2 run to end the half would put Furman on top 32-29 heading to the break.

It only took the Mountaineers 1:05 into the second half to regain the lead off of two free throws from Eaves and a finger-roll lay in from Ronshad Shabazz at 33-31. Both teams would trade baskets until an 8-2 run from the Paladins opened up a 46-38 advantage with 13:10 to play.

The Black and Gold would chip away and claw to within three at 48-45 after putting together a 7-2 run. The run for the Apps was sparked by a showtime slam from Jacob Lawson. Lawson took the ball from the right wing and drove into the lane jumping over a Paladin defender and flushing it home.

The dunk got the Holmes Center to its feet and soon thereafter the Mountaineers received a three-pointer from Eaves and a free throw from Jake Babic to cut the lead to three points.

Furman would answer with a 13-4 run to put themselves ahead 61-49 with just 7:15 to play in the second half.

Trailing by 12 points with less than seven minutes left in the ballgame, Appalachian State went on a 14-4 run to cut the deficit 65-63 with 2:31 to go. The run was keyed by a five-point possession for the Mountaineers. Burgess nailed a three-pointer and simultaneously Obacha was fouled underneath the basket. Obacha would make both free throws and App State would be in business again down 61-55.

Jumpers from Burgess and Clarke, including foul shots from Griffin Kinney and Eaves put the Apps in a great position down 65-63. However, Furman responded with two huge three-pointers over its next three possessions and made 8-of-8 free throws down the stretch to seal the victory.

Furman made 10 three-pointers, including 5-of-9 (55.6 percent) in the second half, to escape with the win.

For the second consecutive game, Obacha led the Mountaineers in rebounding with eight boards. As a team, the Mountaineers grabbed 36 rebounds, including 14 on the offensive glass which in large part led to the Black and Gold's 23 second-chance points in the contest.

Appalachian got the foul line 29 times on Tuesday, including Eaves' game-high 12 attempts.

The Mountaineers will be back in action on Friday, Nov.. 20 when they travel to Hampton for a 6 p.m. tip. App State will close its weekend with a trip to New Orleans, La. to face Tulane on Sunday, Nov. 22. Tipoff for that contest is slated for 4:30 p.m.