Forrest scores 32 as Appalachian State wins third straight

BOONE, N.C. -- Justin Forrest scored 32 points, including 6 of 9 on 3-pointers, and Appalachian State defeated UL Monroe 85-84 on Saturday, the Mountaineers' third consecutive victory.

Forrest's season-high came on 11-of-18 shooting from the field and 4 of 5 from the free-throw line. Isaac Johnson had 13 points, Ronshad Shabazz 12, and Adrian Delph and Tyrell Johnson scored 11 each for Appalachian State 8-14, 3-6 Sun Belt). The Mountaineers shot 56 percent.

Michael Ertel scored 26 points and JD Williams 23 for the Warhawks (11-10, 4-5), who have lost three in a row. Daishon Smith added 11 points. ULM shot 53 percent.

There was no scoring but plenty of action in the final minute. Both teams worked the shot clock on alternating possessions, only to come up empty. With 13 seconds to go, ULM's Smith missed a jumper that was rebounded by Appalachian State's Hunter Seacat, who was fouled with 11 seconds to go. He missed the front end of the bonus but made up for it by blocking Williams' layup at the other end and time ran out.

Both teams lit it up in the first half, Appalachian State shooting 61 percent and ULM 54 percent. The Mountaineers led 46-40 at halftime and went up by 13 early in the second half. But the Warhawks rallied and there were five ties and two lead changes in the next several minutes before Appalachian State built an 83-77 lead with just under three minutes to go.

Both teams surpassed 200 3-pointers made this season. Appalachian State made 14 of 26 from distance and ULM hit on 10 of 21.