BOONE, N.C. – South Alabama men's basketball ran into a tough defensive road test Wednesday night, falling 65–57 to App State in Boone. The loss snapped the Jaguars' three-game winning streak and moved South Alabama to 16–7 overall and 7–4 in Sun Belt play, while the Mountaineers improved to 16–9 on the season and 9–4 in conference action. South Alabama shot 44.0 percent in the second half and trimmed a nine-point deficit to as close as one with under four minutes to play, but App State capitalized on second-chance opportunities and late trips to the free-throw line to secure the win.

Key Moments

• App State scored the game's first five points, but South Alabama answered with a Jayden Cooper three to spark an early back-and-forth opening stretch.

• The Mountaineers closed the opening period on a 10–2 run over the final 2:56 to take a 29–23 lead into halftime.

• South Alabama opened the second half shooting efficiently and cut the deficit to three following a John Broom three-pointer at the 15:38 mark.

• Adam Olsen buried a pair of threes during a critical mid-second-half stretch as the Jaguars continued to chip away.

• With 3:28 remaining, Chaze Harris finished a fast-break layup off a turnover to tie the game at 51.

• App State answered immediately with a three-pointer on the next possession to regain momentum.

• South Alabama pulled within one twice in the final two minutes, but App State converted late free throws to keep the Jaguars at arm's length.

Key Stats

• Chaze Harris led South Alabama with 17 points and six assists, scoring in double figures for the eighth straight game.

• Jayden Cooper added 16 points, knocking down three three-pointers while playing nearly the full 40 minutes.

• Randy Brady contributed nine points, three rebounds, and three assists.

• South Alabama shot 44.0 percent from the field in the second half, including 55.6 percent from three-point range.

• App State held a 40–31 advantage on the glass, including 10 offensive rebounds, which led to 13 second-chance points.

• South Alabama held App State to 28.2 percent shooting from three, but the Mountaineers made timely shots late.
   

Quotable

Head Coach Richie Riley 

"We didn't find the basket enough, but I thought our defense held up. It's on us — we've got to play better and tougher. We got a lot of good looks but didn't make them, and I give them credit because they did a good job. They're physical and a very good team. The atmosphere was really good, and their student section was a big factor. We missed a lot of shots we normally make, and for us, if we can't get to the free-throw line, it makes it hard. We've got to learn from this and move on because coming down the stretch, every one of these matters. We've got three more on the road, and then we're home for the final four games of league play. We've got to play better, get tougher, learn from it, and get back home ready for Buffalo."

Up Next 

South Alabama returns home for its final non-conference matchup of the year, facing Buffalo in the MAC-SBC Challenge on Saturday, Feb.7, at 3 p.m. CT.

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