The Library Media — Sports · Sports Desk
Colon’s Late First-Half Three Helps Appalachian State Hold Off Charlotte, 66-60
By Piper Rampage
Appalachian State used a late first-half three-pointer and an early second-half run to build an advantage, then held off Charlotte for a 66-60 victory at Halton Arena in Charlotte, North Carolina. The Mountaineers improved to 3-1, while the 49ers fell to 2-2.
Ben Kopetzki led Appalachian State with 22 points and seven rebounds, making four three-pointers. Jaylen Colon scored 15 points, including five three-pointers, and added five rebounds. Eren Banks also scored 15 points and grabbed six rebounds, with 11 of his points coming in the second half.
Keyshuan Tillery paced Charlotte with 23 points and five assists. Chaze Harris added 11 points.
The teams were tied 25-25 with 3.3 seconds remaining in the first half when Colon hit a three-pointer to put Appalachian State ahead. The basket gave the Mountaineers the lead for good and sent them into halftime with a 28-25 advantage.
Appalachian State carried that momentum into the second half, opening with a 7-0 run to stretch the lead to 35-25. The Mountaineers later pushed their advantage to 40-27, a 13-point margin that put Charlotte in position to chase the game.
The 49ers continued to work back into contention. Charlotte missed a three-pointer that would have tied the game with 3:47 remaining, but kept the pressure on and got within 61-58 in the final 30 seconds.
Appalachian State held on through the closing stretch to secure the six-point win. The Mountaineers’ defense limited Charlotte to 30.3% shooting, helping preserve the advantage despite the 49ers’ late push.
Kopetzki’s 22 points led all scorers for Appalachian State, while Colon’s five three-pointers included the go-ahead shot just before halftime. Banks supplied 11 second-half points as the Mountaineers maintained their edge after the break.
The game drew an attendance of 5,722 at Halton Arena. Appalachian State left Charlotte with a 3-1 record, while the 49ers moved to 2-2.
Piper Rampage
Men’s College Basketball, The Library Media
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