Appalachian State trims Golden Eagles in Eblen Center
November 19, 2011

Appalachian State trims Golden Eagles in Eblen Center

Visiting Appalachian State used hot shooting to get a lead, then withstood a furious Tennessee Tech rally to edge the Golden Eagles, 68-63, Saturday night in Eblen Center despite big nights from Kevin Murphy and Jud Dillard.

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COOKEVILLE, Tenn. -- The Appalachian State Mountaineers used sizzling-hot shooting and balanced scoring, and weathered a late charge by Tennessee Tech Saturday night in Eblen Center to claim a 68-63 non-conference victory over the Golden Eagles.

Appalachian State (2-1) shot 50 percent from long range, and Tech (1-2) never found an answer. The Golden Eagles shot 4.5 percent from the field and 29 percent from outside the arc.

The Golden Eagles went down fighting furiously, however. Tech worked its way back from a nine-point deficit to within two and had a chance to tie the contest in the final seconds.

Appy State led by as many as nine points in the second half, the second time with a 59-50 margin with 5:18 remaining. A 10-4 run by Tech brought the Golden Eagles back to within three, 63-60, for the final furious minute

Trailing 65-60, Jud Dillard took a pass from Kevin Murphy and banked in a layup while drawing the foul. His free throw with 46 seconds to go made it a two-point game at 65-63.

Tech forced a missed shot but Isaac Butts collected his seventh rebound in a scramble and was fouled. He made one charity toss for a three-point lead, and Zac Swansey's long 3-pointer with four seconds to play missed the mark. Rodney Milum added two free throws for the final five-point margin.

Kevin Murphy, the OVC's preseason Player of the Year, led all scorers with 28 points and grabbed eight rebounds while junior Jud Dillard added a double-double with 22 points and 11 rebounds. He was 8-for-8 at the free throw line.

Omar Carter and Jamaal Trice topped the Mountaineers with 19 points each while Milum also scored in double figures with 13 points for the visitors.

The win by ASU marked the first time the road team has won in the series.

The Golden Eagles face a busy week with three games in six days, beginning with a road contest at High Point on Tuesday. After a Thanksgiving break, Tech will host Lamar on Friday night and Wilberforce Sunday at 4 p.m.