App State Hosts Georgia State in Key Sun Belt Weekend Series

BOONE, N.C. -- App State men's basketball will host Georgia State on Friday and Saturday with first place on the line in the Sun Belt East Division. Tip in the Holmes Convocation Center is set for 6 p.m. on Friday and 4 p.m. on Saturday on ESPN+ and the Appalachian Sports Network from Learfield IMG College.

SPECTATOR INFO
With the implementation of Governor Roy Cooper's Executive Order 176, Phase 3 of North Carolina's eased coronavirus restrictions allows for indoor venues to have limited viewing. Tickets will be reserved for student-athlete families and select season ticket holders.

FAN CUTOUTS
Fan cutouts are available to purchase for inside the Holmes Center. Cutouts can be purchased by clicking here.

THE SERIES

• This is the 13th meeting between the two schools, with the Panthers holding a 7-5 edge
• .Georgia State swept the season series last year and has won four straight over the Mountaineers.

LAST TIME OUT

• App State overcame a nine-point second half deficit and got a career-high 28 points from Adrian Delph in an 83-77 win at South Alabama on Saturday.
• Delph finished 7-of-14 (50.0 percent) from the field, 5-of-10 (50.0 percent) on 3-pointers and a perfect 9-of-9 from the free throw line. He added five rebounds and a career high four steals in the victory. Justin Forrest had 17 points and a season-high tying six assists, Michael Almonacy had 14 points and five assists and Michael Eads added a career-best 11 points.
• After South Alabama took a 38-34 lead into the intermission, the Mountaineers (10-5, 4-2 SBC) scored the first five points of the second half to jump in front 39-38. The Jaguars came right back with a 10-0 run to open a 48-39 edge with just under 14 minutes to play. Trailing 61-52, the Black and Gold stormed back with a 12-0 run to open a 64-61 advantage with 5:36 to play. The Jaguars came right back with a three, but the Mountaineers used a basket from James Lewis Jr. and a 3-pointer from Almonacy to take a 69-64 advantage with 3:36 remaining.
• South Alabama answered with a three, but Almonacy drained another 3-pointer to push the Black and Gold lead to 72-67 with just under three minutes to go. The Jaguars got a basket from Michael Flowers, but Lewis Jr. converted a pair of free throws to extend the Mountaineers lead back to five. The Jaguars pulled within two at 74-72 with 1:59 left, but the Mountaineers used a free throw from Forrest and a pair of free throws from Delph to open a 77-72 edge with 30 seconds left. App State dug in and got a defensive stop on the Jaguars next possession, with Delph pulling down the rebound and getting fouled. He drained two free throws to give App State a 79-72 lead with 30 seconds left. The Jaguars pulled within four points twice in the closing moments of the game, but Forrest drained four free throws down the stretch to put the game away.

SCOUTING THE MOUNTAINEERS

• App State stands at 10-5 on the season and 4-2 in Sun Belt play entering the weekend. The Mountaineers also appeared in the Receiving Votes section of the CollegeInsider.com Mid-Major poll for the second straight week, getting one vote.
• Michael Almonacy has reached double figures in scoring in five straight games and is averaging 13.2 points during that span.
• In Saturday's win, App State shot a season-high 95.5 percent (21-of-22) from the free throw line. The Mountaineers lead the conference and sit 23rd nationally in free throw percentage at 76.9 percent.
• The Mountaineers also lead the Sun Belt in opponent scoring, surrendering 61.5 points per game. The mark also ranks 21st in the country.

SCOUTING THE PANTHERS

• Georgia State defeated Coastal Carolina 71-68 on Saturday to improve to 8-2 on the season and 2-1 in Sun Belt play. The Panthers held the Chanticleers scoreless for the final 2:50 of the game.
• Corey Allen had 15 points to pace Georgia State and Justin Roberts and Collin Moore each added 14 points.
• Four players are averaging double figures in Roberts (15.4 ppg), Roberts (14.7 ppg), Kane Williams (13.7 ppg) and Eliel Nsoseme (12.6 ppg).
• Nsoseme is shooting a Sun Belt leading 65.6 percent from the field , while Allen leads the league in 3-point shooting at 53.8 percent.

UP NEXT
App State will head to Troy next weekend for a pair of contests with the Trojans. The two teams will play on Jan. 29 at 7 p.m. ET and Jan. 30  at 5 p.m. ET on ESPN+ and the Appalachian Sports Network from Learfield IMG College.