By Jacob Plecker. FORT MYERS, Fla. – Falling to a 10-point deficit with just over four minutes to play in the first half, the App State Mountaineers (2-2) finished the game on a 62-22 run and throttled the previously undefeated UNC Wilmington Seahawks (4-1) in their first game at the Fort Myers Tip-Off Event, 86-56.

The Mountaineers held the Seahawks, who came into play on Tuesday averaging 96 points a game, to just 33 percent shooting in the second half. UNC Wilmington’s previous season-low for points in a game was 83. App State held them to just 56.

After struggling to find the mark in the first half, shooting just 2-10 from three, the Mountaineers hit all but nine second-half shots, including six threes, to propel them to victory. Both Christopher Mantis and Tre’Von Spillers tallied double-digit second-half performances on Tuesday with Mantis scoring all 13 of his points in the final frame.

Top Performers

In his first NCAA Division I start, Tre’Von Spillers sparked a Mountaineer team that came into Tuesday’s contest on a two-game losing streak. Spillers poured in 15 points on an impressive, 7-for-8 shooting while also grabbing seven boards and swatting away two shots. Myles Tate came  off the bench for the Mountaineers and had a strong finish to close the first half and opened the second half scoring nine of his 14 points. Finally, freshman Jordan Marsh was a difference maker in his 22 minutes of play as he led the team in plus/minus at +42.

Next Up

App State will conclude play at the Fort Myers Tip-Off Event on Nov. 22 with a matchup against the Murray State Racers for the first time in the history of the two programs. Tipoff is scheduled for noon from Suncoast Credit Union Arena.