The Appalachian State Mountaineers secured a convincing 81-65 win over the Georgia Southern Eagles, with Kasen Jennings leading the charge with 31 points and 6 rebounds. This victory improves Appalachian State's record to 18-9, while Georgia Southern falls to 14-12. The Mountaineers' 50-point second-half performance was a key factor in their success, outscoring the Eagles by 12 points in the final 20 minutes. Appalachian State's 81 points marked their highest scoring output in their last 5 games, with an average of 74.2 points per game during that span.
Kasen Jennings' 31 Points Mark His 5th 30-Point Game of the Season
The game got off to a competitive start, with Appalachian State holding a slim 31-27 lead at halftime. However, the Mountaineers pulled away in the second half, scoring 50 points and limiting Georgia Southern to just 38. The Eagles' Tyren Moore had a strong game, finishing with 17 points and 6 assists, but it wasn't enough to overcome the Mountaineers' balanced attack. Appalachian State's Michael Marcus Jr. added 20 points and 10 rebounds, while Alonzo Dodd chipped in with 18 points and 6 rebounds. The Mountaineers' 16-point margin of victory was their largest in their last 10 games, with an average margin of 5.5 points during that stretch.
Kasen Jennings was the standout performer for Appalachian State, scoring 31 points on 11-18 shooting from the field. He also grabbed 6 rebounds and dished out 2 assists, showcasing his all-around skills. For Georgia Southern, Tyren Moore led the way with 17 points and 6 assists, while Spudd Webb added 12 points and 5 rebounds. Khayri Dunn also contributed 10 points for the Eagles, but it wasn't enough to keep pace with the Mountaineers' high-powered offense. Appalachian State's top three scorers combined for 69 points, accounting for 85% of their total output.
CHD Scout Report Card
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Appalachian State dominated the glass, outrebounding Georgia Southern 40-28. The Mountaineers also shot 51.9% from the field, compared to the Eagles' 41.9%. Appalachian State's 81 points were the most they've scored in a game since January 25, when they defeated Troy 85-73. The Mountaineers' 16-point margin of victory was also their largest since that game, when they won by 12 points. Georgia Southern, on the other hand, struggled with turnovers, committing 15 compared to Appalachian State's 10.
The CHD Scout predicted Appalachian State to win by 6.5 points, and they were correct. The actual margin of victory was 16 points, exceeding the predicted margin by 9.5 points. The predicted score was 68-75 in favor of Appalachian State, but the Mountaineers' high-powered offense led to a higher scoring output. The CHD Scout's prediction was accurate, but it didn't account for the Mountaineers' explosive second-half performance. Appalachian State's 50-point second half was their highest scoring half of the season, and it propelled them to a convincing victory.
This game was a Quadrant 4 matchup for both teams, with Appalachian State currently ranked 175th in the NET rankings and Georgia Southern ranked 258th. The win improves Appalachian State's record to 18-9, while Georgia Southern falls to 14-12. The Mountaineers' victory doesn't significantly impact their tournament resume, but it does help to solidify their position in the conference standings. Appalachian State's NET ranking is likely to remain relatively stable, while Georgia Southern's ranking may drop slightly due to the loss. The Eagles' Quad 4 loss doesn't hurt their resume too much, but it does make their path to a potential at-large bid more difficult.
Appalachian State's next game is scheduled for February 15, when they host the Coastal Carolina Chanticleers. Georgia Southern, on the other hand, will travel to face the Troy Trojans on February 15. Both games are crucial for the teams' conference standings and tournament hopes. Appalachian State want to build on their momentum from this win, while Georgia Southern will aim to bounce back from the loss and get back on track.