By Zach Smith. BOONE, N.C. — Following a break in Sun Belt action for a double-overtime win over Toledo, App State returned to conference play Feb. 15 in their matchup with Marshall. The Mountaineers earned a quality win over the visiting Thundering Herd, 73-58.
Fifth-year forward Donovan Gregory, who led the way for App State with 19 points, was one of three Mountaineers to score in double digits. Junior forward Tre’Von Spillers (14) and junior guard Myles Tate (12) also reached double figures. Spillers added on a season-high 14 rebounds to notch his seventh double-double of the season. Tate dished out a game-best five assists.
Marshall was led by a 19-point Kevon Voyles performance, while Jacob Conner and Kamdyn Curfman netted 11 each to round out the Herd’s top scorers. Nate Martin posted team-highs in rebounds (12) and assists (5).
The first half proved to be a game of runs. Following five alternating makes in the paint, App State went on a 12-2 streak to take a nine-point lead. Marshall snapped that streak by scoring 11 of the next 13 points to tie the game, but back-to-back three-pointers put the Mountaineers ahead by six at the final media break of the half. App State didn’t hit on a shot from the floor over the final three minutes to the buzzer, and Marshall brought the game to within two points entering intermission.
The home side showed off their endurance in the second period. The Thundering Herd kept the game within a point early, but App State allowed just four made shots over the final ten minutes of action. The Mountaineers kept their unblemished record at the Holmes Center intact, remaining the only unbeaten Sun Belt team at home this season.
App State head coach Dustin Kerns shared his thoughts on the Mountaineers’ victory postgame.
“I just thought it was a really, really solid effort by our guys,” Kerns said. “I thought we had a really good night defensively.”
What we’re doing means a lot to him
Donovan Gregory was the key player for App State in their victory over Marshall. Gregory led the Mountaineers with 19 points while grabbing a season-best six steals on the defensive end. Kerns spoke on Gregory’s performance.
“He was terrific,” Kerns said. “Six steals, 19 points, he was just very efficient. I thought he defended really well, four assists. When it comes to winning time, you know, it means a lot to him. What we’re doing means a lot to him.”
Tre’Von Spillers grabbed 14 rebounds in App State’s Feb. 15 victory, the most he’s pulled in a game in the 2023-24 campaign. Kerns highlighted what Spillers provides his team.
“It’s part of his strength, rebounding the ball,” Kerns said. “He went out there and got 14 [points] and 14 [rebounds]. I also think he’s such a good rebounder that opposing teams are putting an emphasis on keeping him off the glass as well. Proud of him, I thought he had a really good game.”
“Our emphasis this week was on getting back to our identity”
App State seemed to be back to normal following their thrilling, double-overtime win over Toledo Feb. 10. Kerns shared the Mountaineers’ emphasis on getting back to their brand of basketball.
“Our emphasis this week was on getting back to our identity,” Kerns said. “Now, credit Toledo, right? They are one of the top scoring teams in the country. That is kind of the way you gotta beat them, by out-scoring them, right? But we really focused this week on getting back to our identity.”
As a team, App State shot just over 50 percent from the floor, compared to Marshall’s 33 percent clip. The Mountaineers outrebounded the Herd, 38-35, and App State’s bench out-scored Marshall’s reserves, 22-6.
Marshall’s loss drops them to 7-6 in Sun Belt play, good for seventh in the conference standings. The Thundering Herd travels to Conway, SC Feb. 17 for a battle with Coastal Carolina. Tipoff is set for 2 p.m., and the game can be streamed on ESPN+.
App State moves to 11-2 in Sun Belt contests with the win. Following Troy’s loss to Arkansas State, the Mountaineers hold sole possession of first place in the conference. App State returns to action Feb. 17, as they play host to Louisiana in a basketball double-header with the women’s team. The game is slated to tipoff at 4:30 p.m., and can be streamed on ESPN+.
