Appalachian State was not going to give up a big lead for the second time in three days.

The Mountaineers built a 17-point lead late in its game with Elon at the Holmes Center Saturday and never let the Phoenix get closer than eight points in an 81-66.

Appalachian State gave up a 17-point first-half lead in a 77-73 loss to UNC Greensboro Saturday. The Mountaineers' win over North Division-leading Elon, coupled with a UNCG overtime victory over Western Carolina Saturday, tightens the North championship race. UNCG improved to 8-14, 6-4 in the SoCon and moved into first place. Elon slipped to 10-10 overall, 5-4 in the league, while Appalachian State improved to 9-11, 5-5 in the SoCon.

“I'd like to get to the point where we don't have to suffer a loss to come back and come with that type of energy and that type of passion,” Mountaineers coach Jason Capel said. “The thing I'm most proud of is I felt we got stronger as the game went on.”

Appalachian State stayed in the thick of the race by taking a 29-26 lead at halftime against Elon, and then stretched it to 44-31 with a Mike Neal basket with 16:06 left in the game.

The Mountaineers eventually went in front 58-41 on a G.J. Vilarino layup, but Elon rallied with a 13-4 run to pull to 62-54 with 8:18 left.

But Appalachian State, instead of allowing the Phoenix to get closer, went on an 8-0 run capped by a Omar Carter basket to take a 70-56 leads that was never in danger.

“We played OK in the first half, but their run in the second half really knocked us on our heels and made us play tentatively,” Elon coach Matt Matheny said. “Then it was just an uphill climb from there and we were not able to get it back within breathing room.”

Carter came off the bench for the second straight game and responded with 20 points and 11 rebounds. Carter made 9-of-13 shots from the field and all of his rebounds are from the defensive end.

Jamaal Trice, who was a starter, scored 20 points and had two assists. Appalachian State's bench outscored Elon's 33-10. Trice said the Mountaineers were not going to blow a big lead against the Phoenix, especially at home.

“We played hard,” Trice said. “We've stopped (blowing leads). That's over with.”

Elon got 20 points from guard Jack Isenbarger and 10 points from Austin Hamilton. Lucas Troutman added nine points and 10 rebounds for the Phoenix.

Appalachian State's next two games are at home. Thursday, the Mountaineers host Samford and host College of Charleston Saturday.

 

Appalachian State 81, Elon 66

Elon (10-10, 5-4)

Beaumont 3-10 2-2 8, Troutman 3-9 3-5 9, Hamilton 4-9 2-4 10, Isenbarger 6-12 4-5 20, Koch 3-7 0-0 9, Bonney 0-1 2-2 2, Spradlin 0-3 2-2 2, Blake 0-0 0-0 0, Edomwonyi 1-4 0-0 2, Winters 2-3 0-0 4, Ervin 0-0 0-0 0. Totals 22-58 15-20 66.

Appalachian State (9-11, 5-5)

Healy 1-4 3-4 6, Williamson 4-6 1-2 9, Hamilton 2-7 0-0 6, Trice 6-9 6-8 20, Neal 3-8 0-2 7, Vilarino 1-1 2-6 4, Carter 9-13 2-4 20, Okam 0-0 0-0 0, Butts 3-5 1-2 7, Woods 1-2 0-0 2. Totals 30-55 15-28 81.

Halftime score—ASU 29, Elon 26. 3-point goals—Elon 7-20 (Isenbarger 4-7, Koch 3-7 Spradlin 0-2, Hamilton 0-4), ASU 6-20 (Hamilton 2-5, Trice 2-5, Neal 1-2, Healy 1-3, Williamson 0-1, Woods 0-1, Carter 0-3). Rebounds—Elon 37 (Troutman 10), ASU 36 (Carter 11). Assists—Elon 12 (Hamilton 3), ASU 12 (Neal 3). Turnovers—Elon 18, ASU 14. Total fouls—Elon 20, ASU 20. Fouled out—Elon, Beaumont; ASU, Williamson. Technical fouls—None. Att.—2,355.