LITTLE ROCK, Ark. –– Despite being down by just five points at the break, Appalachian State University men's basketball could not overcome a 20-5 run from Little Rock spanning the end of the first half and beginning of the second in a 69-62 loss on Monday night.

Ronshad Shabazz and Tyrell Johnson led the way for the Mountaineers (6-16, 1-10 Sun Belt) with a game-high 15 points a piece.

Johnson finished 6-for-12 from the floor, including a 3-pointer and a perfect 2-for-2 at the foul line. The sophomore forward also grabbed a team-high eight boards.

The Black and Gold led the Trojans (13-11, 4-7 Sun Belt) for 5:10 of the first half, but Little Rock turned nine Mountaineer first half turnovers into 20 points to aid their five point halftime lead.

Ending the half on a 7-0 run, the Trojans opened up the second period on a 13-5 run to push its lead to a game-high 13 points at 41-28.

For a 2:10 stretch in the second half, Shabazz scored eight-straight points for the Apps, but App State was kept at a safe distance for most of the second half until a late Bennett Holley three cut the deficit to just seven points, but with just 27 seconds left in regulation.

Two free throws from the Trojans' Jalen Jackson and a layup from the Mountaineers' Johnson closed out the contest.

Jackson led the Trojans with 14 points. 

The Mountaineers will return to the floor on Saturday, Feb. 11 when they host Georgia State inside the Holmes Center at 3:30 p.m. The game will also serve as Black Saturday. 

Notes: For the second-straight game, Tyrell Johnson netted double-figures in the point column (15 points) … it marked Johnson's eighth career double-digit scoring game and sixth of the season … Johnson's eight rebounds were the most since an 11-rebound effort vs. Western Carolina (Dec. 3) … Shabazz notched his 20th double-digit scoring game and 38th of his career … Emarius Logan (Columbia, S.C./White Knoll) posted a five-assist night - his highest total in league play this season.