BOONE, N.C. (Interstat) — Appalachian State used a dominant first half to secure an 80-65 men’s basketball victory over James Madison on Thursday night at Holmes Center. The Mountaineers built a 38-27 halftime lead and maintained control throughout before an announced crowd of 2,177. Alonzo Dodd and Kasen Jennings each scored 23 points to pace Appalachian State (11-8, 2-3 Sun Belt). Cliff Davis led the Dukes (9-9, 2-3) with 15 points. The Mountaineers opened the game on a 12-0 run and never trailed, shooting 50% from the field to James Madison’s 38%. The teams will meet again on Feb. 14 in Harrisonburg.

BOONE, N.C. (Interstat) — Appalachian State used a dominant start and a balanced scoring attack led by Alonzo Dodd and Kasen Jennings to pull away from James Madison for an 80-65 victory in a Sun Belt Conference men’s basketball game Thursday night at the Holmes Center. The Mountaineers improved to 11-8 overall, while the Dukes fell to an even 9-9. Appalachian State seized control from the opening tip, establishing an early tone with stifling interior defense. Luke Wilson, the 6-foot-9 forward from Augusta, Georgia, set the pace with two early hook shots and a blocked shot, part of a first half where he recorded three of his game-high five blocks. His presence, alongside 6-9 teammate Michael Marcus, disrupted James Madison’s offense repeatedly in the paint. The Mountaineers opened the game on a 14-2 run, capped by a Jalen Tot three-pointer assisted by Kasen Jennings. James Madison struggled to find any offensive rhythm, committing a shot-clock violation and seeing multiple shots swatted away during the early onslaught. A three-pointer from Cliff Davis finally stopped the bleeding for the Dukes, but Appalachian State’s lead never dipped below seven points for the remainder of the half. The Mountaineers took a 38-27 lead into halftime, fueled by efficient offense and a significant rebounding advantage. The second half saw James Madison attempt to mount a challenge. A three-pointer from Davis and a driving layup from Bradley Douglas cut the deficit to 46-40 with just over 15 minutes remaining, prompting a timeout from the Appalachian State bench. The response from the home team was immediate and decisive. Alonzo Dodd, a guard from Saint Paul, Minnesota, answered with a three-pointer on the ensuing possession. After a James Madison basket, Jennings connected from deep, and following a Dukes turnover, Jennings hit a pull-up jumper to push the lead back to 54-42. The sequence effectively snuffed out the visitors’ momentum. Appalachian State then put the game out of reach with a 10-2 run midway through the half. It was highlighted by an Alonzo Dodd layup, a Luke Wilson dunk off a Dodd assist, and a Jalen Tot three-pointer, extending the margin to 73-55 with under six minutes to play. James Madison could get no closer than 15 points the rest of the way. The most important part of the game was unquestionably Appalachian State’s opening blitz and their sustained defensive pressure. The early 14-2 run established a psychological and numerical advantage that James Madison, despite several brief rallies, could never fully overcome. The Mountaineers’ interior defense, led by Wilson’s five blocks and Marcus’s two, forced the Dukes into a perimeter-oriented attack that proved inconsistent. Whenever James Madison threatened to make a run, Appalachian State had a counterpunch, usually from Dodd or Jennings, to maintain a comfortable double-digit cushion. Dodd and Jennings led all scorers with 23 points each. Dodd added three assists, while Jennings contributed three assists and played disruptive perimeter defense. Wilson’s line of eight points, five blocks, and a game-high 37 minutes was pivotal in controlling the paint. Marcus finished with 12 points and nine rebounds, just shy of a double-double. Tot facilitated the offense well, scoring nine points and dishing out four assists. For James Madison, Cliff Davis led the way with 15 points, all coming from beyond the arc. Bradley Douglas added 10 points and four assists. The Dukes were hampered by poor shooting inside, with several attempts altered or rejected by the Mountaineers’ frontline. The game drew an attendance of 2,177 to the Holmes Center. According to National Statistical’s ELO system, Appalachian State entered as a slight favorite with a 52 percent probability to win. The combined point total of 145 fell under the pregame over/under line of 133.5. James Madison looks to rebound quickly, traveling to face Marshall on Saturday. Appalachian State continues its homestand, hosting Old Dominion on Saturday. The two teams are scheduled to meet again in Harrisonburg, Virginia, on Feb. 14.

BOONE, N.C. (Interstat) — A pivotal Sun Belt Conference men’s basketball matchup awaits Thursday night as Appalachian State hosts James Madison at Holmes Center. The Mountaineers (10-8, 2-3 Sun Belt) look to defend their home court and gain ground in the league standings, while the visiting Dukes (9-8, 2-3) aim to build momentum from a last-second victory. James Madison is coming off a dramatic 70-69 home win over Old Dominion on Saturday, sealed by a late basket. The Dukes have shown resilience, with their last three games decided by four points or fewer, going 2-1 in that stretch. Their success often hinges on the offensive output of guard Justin McBride. He is averaging 18.6 points per game over his last seven contests, including a 29-point performance in the win over Old Dominion. Appalachian State seeks to rebound from a 67-62 road loss at Coastal Carolina on Saturday. The Mountaineers have been inconsistent in conference play but boast a strong 7-2 record at home this season. They are led by versatile forward Alonzo Dodd, who is averaging 14.7 points, 4.5 rebounds and 3.5 assists over his last six games. Dodd posted 21 points and six rebounds in the loss to Coastal Carolina. The game features two teams with nearly identical records seeking to climb above .500 in Sun Belt play. James Madison will rely on McBride and backcourt mate Bradley Douglas, who leads the team in assists. Appalachian State will counter with Dodd and forward Michael Marcus, who grabbed 12 rebounds in the team’s last outing. This contest is the first of a regular-season series between the schools, who will meet again in Harrisonburg, Virginia, on Feb. 14. Tipoff is scheduled for 7 p.m. EST Thursday.