Mountaineers Fall to Wichita State 82-76 on Second Day of Charleston Classic

CHARLESTON, S.C. -- Justin Forrest poured in a season-high 28 points, but Appalachian State men's basketball fell to Wichita State 82-76 on the second day of the Charleston Classic.

Forrest went 9-of-15 (60.0 percent) from the field and 4-of-5 (80.0 percent) from beyond the arc. He also pulled down a season-best seven rebounds (three offensive) and dished out two assists.

Ronshad Shabazz added 17 points and recorded a season-best five rebounds. Hunter Seacat tied his career-high with nine points, while adding four rebounds, three assists and a steal.

Markis McDuffie had a team-high 24 points for Wichita State (2-2). Jamarius Burton and Samajae Haynes-Jones each finished with 14 points.

The Shockers jumped out to an early 8-2 lead, only to see App State (1-3) counter with 10 consecutive points to take a 12-8 lead. A jumper from Forrest at the 7:27 mark of the first half gave the Mountaineers a 31-25 edge. From there, Wichita State closed the half on a 19-4 run to take a 44-35 advantage into the break.

In the second half, the Mountaineers chipped away at the Wichita State lead and tied the score at 57-57 on a free throw by Shabazz with 10:57 to play. Following a dunk by Wichita State, the Black and Gold scored the next three points to open a 61-60 lead.

Two free throws from Isaac Johnson at the 6:18 mark of the second half gave the Mountaineers a 66-61 edge. The Shockers countered with a 12-2 spurt to retake the lead 73-68. 

Shabazz hit a pair of free throws with 44 seconds left to cut the App State deficit to two points at 77-75. The Mountaineers fouled on the Shockers next possession and Erik Stevenson made his first free throw but missed the second. McDuffie grabbed the rebound for Wichita State and was fouled with 10 seconds left. He drained both of his free throws to push the Shocker lead to 80-75 and put the game away.

App State went 26-of-55 (47.3 percent) from the field and 11-of-24 (45.8 percent) from deep. Wichita State shot 30-of-59 (50.8 percent) from the field and went 9-of-20 (45.0 percent) on three-pointers.

The Mountaineers will close out play at the Charleston Classic on Sunday at 11 a.m. versus Ball State on ESPN3. Appalachian State will then play next on Nov. 26 inside the Holmes Center at 7 p.m. against Winston-Salem State. Season tickets and individual game tickets are currently on sale. Season tickets can be purchased by clicking here or by calling the Appalachian State ticket office at 828-262-2079. Single game tickets can be purchased by clicking here or by contacting the Appalachian State ticket office at 828-262-2079.