BOONE — Justin Forrest hit a 3-pointer with one second left to give Appalachian State its first lead of the second half to win a Sun Belt Conference battle with Georgia Southern on Saturday.
Appalachian State led by nine midway through the first half and held the lead the first 15 minutes. But Georgia Southern closed the first half on a 27-8 run and led by 10, 39-39 at intermission. The Mountaineers managed to pull even twice in the second half.
Forrest scored at the basket to cut the Eagles’lead to one, 72-71 with :41 left. Ike Smith missed a jumper to pad the lead with six seconds left, Hunter Seacat grabbed the defensive rebound to set up Forrest’s game-winner.
Forrest was just 3 of 11 from long range but finished with 25 points to lead the Mountaineers (9-6, 3-1). Oshowen Williams added 20 points and Kendall Lewis contributed 11.
Simeon Carter had 15 points off the bench to lead Georgia Southern (9-6, 3-1). Quan Jackson and Ike Smith each added 13 points and David Lee Jones Jr. contributed 11.