Appalachian State is seeking a bounce-back win when it welcomes in Texas State for a clash with the Bobcats at 7 p.m. on Monday, Jan. 30. The Mountaineers are looking to end a four-game losing skid as they wrap up their two-game homestand. Tipoff between the Mountaineers and Bobcats is slated for 7 p.m. inside the Holmes Center.
Monday's contest can be heard live locally on WATA 1450 AM in Boone and Blowing Rock. It will also be carried on Appalachian State's flagship station, WKBC 97.3 FM, as well as, WZGV 730 AM, WCOG 1320 AM, and online/worldwide on appstatesports.com and via the TuneIn app.
The game can also be viewed live on ESPN3 via the WatchESPN app.
MONDAY'S PROMOTIONS
• Monday will serve as the Mountaineers' Autism Awareness game. As a part of Autism Awareness, the Mountaineer coaching staff will don blue puzzle piece pins.
• Autism Speaks is raffling off a signed basketball at halftime. In addition, they will have an informational table set up on the concourse.
• It will also be the Appalachian State Club Sports Night.
LOOKING BACK
• Appalachian State, which led 32-24 at halftime, fell to UTA on Saturday by a final score of 83-67.
• The Mountaineers got a 21-point first half from Ronshad Shabazz and a 33-point total effort from the sophomore guard, coupled with Griffin Kinney's fourth career double-double and fourth of the season, but it wouldn't be enough in the loss.
• Appalachian State held UTA to its lowest first half point total, but the Mavericks scored 59 second half points en route to the 16-point victory.
• After surrendering the lead, a Shabazz jumper with 13:07 left in regulation gave the Black and Gold its last lead at 45-44.
TOP STORYLINES AND SERIES HISTORY
• Appalachian State will close out its two-game homestand against Texas State tonight.
• The Mountaineers are currently riding a four-game losing streak and will look to bounce back against the Bobcats.
• With a narrow 67-59 loss earlier this season, the Mountaineers and Bobcats are knotted 3-3 in the all time series.
• Ronshad Shabazz is coming off his second 30-point outing in three games with 33 points against UTA on Saturday.
• Shabazz is now third in the league in scoring (17.8 ppg) and second in conference-only contests (20.5 ppg).
• With 33 points, Shabazz eclipsed the 700-point mark of his career and now has 708 points in 50 career games.
• Over his last three games, Shabazz is averaging 29.0 points and 6.3 rebounds per game, while shooting 51.6 percent from the field and 50.0 percent from distance.
• Griffin Kinney achieved his fourth career double-double with 10 points and 10 rebounds on Saturday against the Mavericks.
• Kinney has now notched 11 of his 17 career double-figure scoring games this season - averaging 10.3 points and 7.3 rebounds in Sun Belt play.
• Patrick Good is ranked second in the Sun Belt in 3-point percentage (42.9), while Tyrell Johnson ranks third in blocked shots (22).
• According to Ken Pomeroy, the Mountaineers are the 12th-youngest team in the country (339/351).
SCOUTING THE BOBCATS
• Texas State enters tonight's contest with a 12-8 overall record and a 5-3 mark in league play.
• The Bobcats are coming off of a dramatic 52-50 win at Coastal Carolina on Saturday with a Nijal Pearson jumper with 15 seconds left.
• Coupled with the Bobcats' win over Coastal, Texas State has now won two in a row and three-of-its-last-four games.
• Kavin Gilder-Tilbury leads the Bobcats with 16.3 points per game, while Nijal Pearson has also posted double-figures with 13.3 per contest.
• Dating back to Dec. 23, the Bobcats' six wins have all come by nine points or less.
• With three losses in that span, all three have been by seven points or less.
LOOKING AHEAD
• The Mountaineers will hit the road again, this time to the state of Arkansas for two games against both Arkansas State and Little Rock.
