BOONE, N.C. -- App State men's basketball erased a 17-point second half deficit, but dropped a 67-66 home contest to Charlotte on Thursday evening.
The 49ers (3-0) opened a 50-33 lead with 15:37 left to play on a pair of free throws from Jahmir Young. From there, the Mountaineers (2-2)Â mounted a furious rally that saw them score 22 of the next 26 points to take a 55-54 lead with 7:45 remaining. The two teams exchanged the lead six times over the next three minutes, capped by a 3-pointer from
Adrian Delph to give the Mountaineers a 62-60 lead with 4:13 to play.
Charlotte tied the score with 3:27 to play and took the lead a minute later, but App State used four consecutive free throws from
Justin Forrest to take a 66-64 lead with 1:03 left. Charlotte answered a trey from Young on its next possession to open a 67-66 lead with 52 seconds to play.
On the Mountaineers next possession, Forrest missed a three and the 49ers came down with the rebound. Following three App State fouls, Young missed the front end of a one-and-one and Forrest grabbed the rebound. With six seconds left, Forrest drove to the hoop and his layup was no good, with Young securing the rebound. He was fouled but missed the front end of a one-and-one again.
Donovan Gregory pulled down the rebound, but his half court heave was no good as the buzzer sounded.
App State scored the first seven points of the contest, but Charlotte answered with a 13-0 run to take a 13-7 lead. App State battled back to tie the game at 16-16, onlt to see thee 49ers answer with a 13-4 run to build a 29-20 advantage. Charlotte took a 42-30 lead into the half.
Forrest paced the Mountaineers with a team-high 17 points, while adding three rebounds and a pair of steals. Delph posted a near double-double with 15 points, nine rebounds and three assists. Gregory added nine points.
Off the bench,
Michael Eads Jr. had six points and a career-high tying six rebounds,
CJ Huntley tallied six points and three rebounds and
Xavion Brown finished with six points.
Young paced the 49ers with 23 points and six rebounds. Jackson Threadgill added 12 points off the bench.
App State held a 13-4 edge in second chance points and also scored 19 points off of 13 Charlotte turnovers.
The Mountaineers will now head to Florida to take part in the Gulf Coast Showcase in Estero, Fla. App State opens the tournament on Monday evening against Delaware at 7:30 p.m. on FloHoops and will also play Tuesday and Wednesday against opponents that have yet to be determined.
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