MOBILE, Ala. – Coming off an incredible come-from-behind win in its Sun Belt opener, the South Alabama men's basketball team (8-5) will begin the new year by hosting Appalachian State and Georgia State this week in the Mitchell Center. The Jaguars will host App State on Thursday, Jan.4 at 7 p.m., and Georgia State on Saturday, Jan.6 at 3 p.m. CT.

 GAME INFORMATION

App State vs South Alabama

Date: Thursday, Jan.4 

Tip-off: 7 p.m. CST

Site: Mitchell Center | Mobile, Ala

Live Stats  Watch Live  Listen   Game Notes

Georgia State vs South Alabama

Date: Saturday, Jan.6 

Tip-off: 3 p.m. CST

Site: Mitchell Center| Mobile, Ala

Live Stats  Watch Live  Listen  

Last Time Out

After falling behind by 22 points in the second half, the South Alabama men's basketball team outscored Old Dominion 34 to 10 in the final 14 minutes of the game to secure the dramatic 61-59 come-from-behind victory. Following a Marshall Kearing steal with under 30 seconds to play, Kearing found Isiah Gaiter for an easy game-winning layup with 9.6 seconds remaining. This marked the largest comeback since the Jags came back from a 22-point deficit to secure a 54-52 victory over Denver in February of 2010. 

South Alabama Notes (8-5; 1-0)

• South Alabama has won four straight games over Old Dominion 61-59, Alabama A&M 83-67, Spring Hill 91-74, and Mercer 83-62. 
• The Jaguars have had their best start to a season since the 2021-22 season when they started 10-3. 
• South Alabama Head Coach Richie Riley has compiled an impressive 10-4 record over App State. On the other hand, he is 2-9 against Georgia State in his six seasons. 
• Isiah Gaiter has scored double figures in 11 out of 13 contests. The Meriden, Connecticut native scored the game-winning bucket with 9.6 seconds remaining against ODU and logged his third 20-point game this year. He ranks first in the Sun Belt conference in minutes per game (34.5), sixth in points per game (15.5), sixth in field goal percentage (48.7), and seventh in free throw percentage (82.4). 
•  The Jags have been incredibly efficient from the free-throw line this year. South ranks second in the Sun Belt in free throw percentage, shooting 73.7 percent from the charity stripe. The Jaguars have shot 75.4 percent from the line in the last five games. Earlier this season against Maryland, South shot 100 percent from the free throw line for the first time since January 2021 against Georgia Southern. 
• Tyrell Jones and Samuel Tabe have been catalysts for the Jags in the last five games. Jones has averaged 12.2 points and 2.7 assists, while Tabe is averaging 11.4 points and five rebounds. 
•  Julian Margrave has been red hot this season from behind the arc. The Sophomore forward ranks third in the Sun Belt in three-point field goals, averaging 2.3 per contest, and has compiled 21 total through nine appearances this season. 
• The Jags have continued to create havoc defensively in the front court this season. As a team, South Alabama is ranked fourth in the conference in opponent three-point field goal percentage (29.5). 
• In three out of the last four games, the Jags have had five players finish with double figures in scoring. 
• South has compiled three double-doubles so far this season. Marcus Millender finished with 23 points, ten assists, and nine rebounds against Nicholls. Thomas Howell earned 14 points and 11 rebounds against Denver. Tabe cruised through Alabama A&M, scoring 13 points and corralling ten rebounds. 

About App State (10-3; 1-0)

• App State is coming off a dominant 67-55 win over ULM in its conference opener.
• The Mountaineers have won nine of their last ten games, with wins over Auburn and Murray State. 
• Dustin Kerns leads the Mountaineers, sporting a record of 80-61 in his five seasons as Head Coach. 
• The Mountaineers lead the conference in team defense, limiting opposing teams to 63.3 points per contest. 
• Donovan Gregory fuels the Mountaineer offense, averaging 14.2 points, 4.6 rebounds, and 3.3 assists per game. Gregory was Preseason first-team All-Sun Belt earlier this season. 

App State Series History

• South Alabama has dominated App State in previous seasons, holding a 14-5 all-time series record. 

First Matchup: 1/8/15: W 104-95 vs. App State 

Last Matchup: 3/2/23: W 68-61 SBC Quarterfinals

About Georgia State (6-6; 1-0)

• Georgia State opened conference play with a tight 71-70 victory over Arkansas State. Dwon Odom hit two game-winning free throws with 6.8 seconds left to secure the win. 
• The Panthers are third in the Sun Belt in scoring offense, averaging 79.9 points per contest. They are also the only team above South in the Sun Belt conference in free throw percentage, shooting 78.5 percent from the line. 
• Second-year head coach Jonas Hayes leads the Panthers with a 16-27 record. 
• The Panthers have two preseason All-Sun Belt selections, Dwon Odom and Brendan Tucker. 
• Three players averaged double-digits for Georgia State. Lucas Taylor has 14.2 points, Toneari Lane averages 12.1 points, and Odom contributes 11.5 points per game. 
• Common Non-Conference Opponents: Mercer L 64-60

Georgia State Series History

Georgia State has a 17-21 advantage in the all-time series. 

First Matchup: 2/16/76: at Georgia State W 78-77

Last Matchup: 12/31/22: at Georgia State L 68-58

FOLLOW THE JAGS

For complete coverage of South Alabama men's basketball, follow the Jags on social media @SouthAlabamaMBB (Twitter), /SouthAlabamaMBB (Facebook), @southalabamambb (Instagram), or visit the official home of South Alabama athletics at usajaguars.com