By David Rogers. BOONE, N.C. — An electric Holmes Center atmosphere greeted tiny St. Andrews University’s men’s basketball team on Nov. 6, as the NAIA-level (small school) Knights prepared to take on an NCAA Division I opponent in Appalachian State. With an undergraduate enrollment of just over 700 students competing against a school in App State with 21,000-plus students enrolled, the outcome was pretty much as expected for the 2024-25 early season: the Mountaineers rolled over the Knights, 108-54. It was David vs. Goliath, with Goliath winning.
Fifteen Mountaineers saw valuable court time on the night and all 15 put at least one point on the board. The Mountaineers were led by freshman Michael Marcus, Jr., coming off the bench to record the game’s only double-double, 18 points and 10 rebounds in 24 minutes of play.
App State led from the start, a 3-pointer from the left side by guard Jamil Muttilib in the first 14 seconds setting the tone. Grad student returnee C J Huntley scored the next seven points before a pair of free throws by junior guard Alonzo Dodd expanded the lead to 12-0 before the visiting Knights could find the bucket.
The Mountaineers’ scoring barrage continued, leading 35-12 at the halfway point of the first half when center Luke Wilson slammed home a thundering dunk. By halftime, with the Mountaineers filtering in second and third tier replacements, the Knights heard the halftime buzzer sound with App State holding a commanding, 55-27 lead.
Crisp passing, old fashioned hustle, and a punishing defense were the Mountaineers’ calling cards on this night, with a pointed effort to work the ball inside the paint and take advantage of their height advantage. While the Knights never quit working, it mattered little who was on the floor representing App State. More than half (68 points) of App State’s end-of-game total came from the bench.
App State will be hoping the winning lessons from their game vs. St. Andrews rub off as they prepare for their next opponent, Wisconsin, on Sunday, Nov. 10, with a 12 noon tipoff.
SELECTED TEAM STATS
- Field goal %: APP 57, SA 29
- 3-point FG%: APP 40, SA 16
- Free Throws: APP 20-of-31 (65%), SA 10-of-15 (67%)
- Turnovers: APP 6, SA 9
- Total Rebounds: APP 57, SA 31
- Fast Break Points: APP 19, SA 2
- Points in Paint: APP 58, SA 26
- Bench Points: APP 68, SA 39
- Blocks: APP 13, SA 6
- Steals: APP 7, SA 5
- Assists: APP 23, SA 6
KEY PERFORMERS
- APP – Michael Marcus, Jr.: 18 points, 10 rebounds, 4 blocks
- APP – C J Huntley: 15 points, 4 rebounds, 1 block
- APP – Ben Ezeagu: 12 points, 9 rebounds, 2 blocks
- APP – Myles Tate: 3 points, 9 steals
- APP – Luke Wilson: 6 points, 7 rebounds, 4 assists, 3 blocks
- APP – Jamil Muttilib: 10 points, 3 blocks
- SA – Pries Williams: 12 points, 4 rebounds, 2 blocks
- SA – Mate Escamilla: 11 points, 5 rebounds, 1 steal
