BOONE, N.C. – Appalachian State University men's basketball kept its Sun Belt tournament hopes alive with a dramatic program victory over Little Rock on Thursday night.
The win over the No. 35 RPI team in the nation was a must-win for the Mountaineers. Little Rock also came into Thursday's contest sporting the best record in the nation.
With a Mountaineer victory on Saturday and a Texas State loss, the Black and Gold will solidify themselves as the No. 8 seeded team in the 2016 Sun Belt tournament in New Orleans.
FOLLOW THE MOUNTAINEERS
You can follow the action live by watching on App State TV or by listening to the Appalachian IMG Sports Network. You can also choose to follow the game by following App State Men's Basketball (@AppStateMBB) or App State Athletics (@appstatesports) on Twitter.
SATURDAY'S PROMOTIONS
SENIOR DAY
Join us for a special pre-game ceremony honoring the App State Basketball Seniors
SECU APPALACHIAN PARTNERSHIP SCHOLARS DAY
Appalachian State Athletics extends a special welcome to all Reich College of Education Appalachian Partnership Scholars with free admission for Scholars and $10 admission for their family & friends
HALFTIME ENTERTAINMENT – STARTOWN ELEMENTARY SCHOOL PE CLUB
GROUPS IN ATTENDANCE
- Startown Elementary School PE Club
- Ryan Ward's K-1st grade team
LAST TIME OUT
• Appalachian State snapped its two-game losing streak with a huge program win over Little Rock on Thursday night.
• The Mountaineers win over No. 35 RPI Little Rock was fueled by 22 points from freshman Ronshad Shabazz.
• Jake Babic also came through in a big way and netted a season-high 10 points. Babic finished 3-for-5 from behind the arc.
SERIES HISTORY
• Appalachian State played Arkansas State for the first time in program history last season.
• The Apps and Red Wolves split both matches with both squads winning on the road.
• The Mountaineers win at Arkansas State on Jan. 3 marked both App State's first Sun Belt Conference game and its first conference victory.
• Appalachian State topped A-State on the road earlier this season 86-72 behind 31 points from senior guard Frank Eaves.
SCOUTING THE RED WOLVES
• A-State comes into today with an 11-19 overall record, including a 7-12 mark in league play.
• Entering play, Arkansas State is currently on an eight-game losing streak - having lost 11 of its last 13 games.
• The Red Wolves boast four student-athletes in double-figure scoring: Devin Carter (17.5 ppg), Anthony Livingston (15.6 ppg), Donte Thomas (11.2 ppg) and Sean Gardner (10.3 ppg).
UP NEXT
• Appalachian State's Sun Belt tournament fate will be decided on the outcome of its game against Arkansas State and the outcome of the Texas State/South Alabama game.
