1 | 2 | T | |
---|---|---|---|
APP | 31 | 42 | 73 |
USA | 36 | 43 | 79 |
Sikes, S. Alabama hold off Appalachian State 79-73
MOBILE, Ala. -- Rodrick Sikes scored 21 points and made four 3-pointers and South Alabama held off a late rally to defeat Appalachian State 79-73 in a Sun Belt Conference opener on Thursday night.
Appalachian State's 12-3 run in the final 2 1/2 minutes cut a 14-point Jaguars lead to 75-70. South Alabama's Kory Holden made a pair of free throws then O'Showen Williams answered with a 3 for Appalachian State. Leading by four, the Jaguars twice made one of two free throws and Appalachian State missed a pair of 3-pointers to finish out the game.
Trhae Mitchell added 16 points and 10 rebounds for the Jaguars (8-6). Josh Ajayi also had a double-double, with 15 points and 12 rebounds.
Ronshad Shabazz led the Mountaineers (5-9) with 21 points and Isaac Johnson added 14 points with six rebounds.
Appalachian State led 25-11 midway through the first half and 31-22 near the five-minute mark before South Alabama, which finished with nine 3-pointers, made four 3-pointers in a 12-0 run to take the lead and added two more points for a 36-31 halftime advantage.
The Jaguars went up by 11 -- 47-36 -- on a 3-pointer by Sikes with 14:36 remaining in the second half, maintained a comfortable margin over the next 12 minutes and led 72-58 after another 3-pointer by Sikes at the 2:33 mark.
Game Information
- Referees:
- Rick Randall
- Rodrick Dixon
- Todd Austin
2023-24 Sun Belt Conference Standings
Team | CONF | GB | OVR |
---|---|---|---|
Appalachian State | 16-2 | - | 27-7 |
James Madison | 15-3 | 1 | 32-4 |
Troy | 13-5 | 3 | 20-12 |
Arkansas State | 11-7 | 5 | 20-17 |
Louisiana | 10-8 | 6 | 19-14 |
Southern Miss | 9-9 | 7 | 16-16 |
South Alabama | 8-10 | 8 | 16-16 |
Georgia State | 8-10 | 8 | 14-17 |
Georgia Southern | 8-10 | 8 | 9-24 |
Texas State | 7-11 | 9 | 17-18 |
Marshall | 7-11 | 9 | 13-20 |
UL Monroe | 6-12 | 10 | 11-19 |
Coastal Carolina | 5-13 | 11 | 9-22 |
Old Dominion | 3-15 | 13 | 7-25 |