Box Score BOONE, N.C. -- Appalachian State University men's basketball dropped its seventh decision less than six points this season in a 75-71 loss to South Alabama on Thursday at the Holmes Center. In games decided by six points or less, Appalachian is now 1-7 on the year.

Frank Eaves led the Mountaineers (6-20, 4-11 Sun Belt) with a game-high 27 points on 7-for-20 shooting from the field. Eaves also poured in a game-high 11 free throws on 13 attempts. Ronshad Shabazz contributed 12 points and Emarius Logan notched his fifth double-figure game and second in as many games off the bench with 11 points.

The Jaguars (12-15, 7-9 Sun Belt) were led by Ken Williams, who put up 27 points. He was the Jags' only player to finish in double-digits.

Despite shooting just 28.1 percent from the floor in the opening half, the Mountaineers (6-20, 4-11 Sun Belt) made a late push and took five separate two-point leads before going into the break tied with the Jaguars 33-33.

South Alabama would heat up in the second half and shot a blistering 48.5 percent from the floor. The Jags would open up its largest lead of the game at 58-52 with 8:43 to go, but the Apps erased that deficit and would go on a 7-0 run over the course of the next 2:01 to take a one-point lead at 59-58.

The run was keyed by five-straight free throws from Logan, Chris Burgess and Tyrell Johnson. To cap the run, Michael Obacha converted a hook shot in the lane. Obacha also finished with a game-high and season-high 10 rebounds - his 14th career double-digit rebounding game.

Both teams would trade leads two more times the rest of the way, including a 69-68 Appalachian State lead with 1:51 to go in the ballgame. A Williams jumper and two free throws from Barrington Stevens opened up a 72-69 lead for the Jags. They would extend it to five points before a late Eaves layup and a Jaguar free throw produced the final score.

The Mountaineers return to action Saturday when they take on Troy at the Holmes Center. Tip-off is scheduled for 3:45 p.m.