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Monday, 13 February 2012 22:56 |
 Freshman guard Mike Neal attempts to finish a layup during Saturday night's game against Wofford. The Mountaineers fell short 66-64.
It ended a furious comeback as Appalachian (10-15, 6-9) lost its second game against Wofford College (16-11, 9-6), dropping its third game in four contests.
“We’ve got guys on the court who played hard,” head coach Jason Capel said. “I’m proud of the way my guys fought, but you have to be able to do it for a full 40 minutes.”
The first half of Saturday’s showing saw multiple lead changes. The game went back and forth, until Wofford senior Drew Crowell converted a layup with 24 seconds left in the opening half. Crowell’s last-minute shot gave the Terriers a 27-25 lead into the locker room.
In the final 20 minutes, the Terriers were able to stretch out the advantage to double figures, thanks to some hot shooting by seniors Kevin Giltner and Brad Loesing.
Appalachian’s momentary comeback was powered by its freshman backcourt duo, Mike Neal and Tab Hamilton.
Neal slithered and sped past defenders to get into the lane. He was frequently hacked going to the basket and attempted 12 free throws, but only converted six.
“I have definitely focused on going to the basket,” Neal said. “I have tried to be aggressive.”
With just under five minutes remaining, trailing 59-54, Hamilton was fouled on a 3-point attempt that found its way in the basket. The crowd was frantic - the momentum had clearly shifted sides in favor of the home team, after Hamilton converted a 4-point play to get the Mountaineers within a point. Wofford’s veterans, however, did not fold. It showed just how important experience is in tough conference games.
Both teams traded baskets until a layup by senior Andre Williamson pulled the Mountaineers with 62-60. On Wofford’s next possession, with the shot-clock running out and just over one minute in regulation, Loesing hit a 3-pointer. For a time, it looked like Loesing’s shot would be the proverbial straw that broke the camel’s back.
Carter was able to get a quick score with a runner in the lane, pulling the Apps within one possession. A defensive stop and another basket in the paint for Williamson got the Mountaineers to 65-64, with 15 seconds remaining.
With the shot-clock turned off, the Mountaineers were forced to foul freshman Lee Skinner, only a 48 percent free throw shooter. Skinner converted one of two foul shots and Carter rebounded the miss on the second freethrow.
Mike Neal drove to the basket with the Mountaineers completely out of timeouts, but was rejected by freshman Karl Cochran.
With four ticks remaining, Coach Capel called for an out-of-bounds play the Mountaineers had run successfully earlier in the half.
“We were supposed to have Tab curling off that screen and taking the shot,” Capel said. “We had ran the play correctly earlier in the half. For some reason one of his teammates called him out of that spot.”
But Appalachian’s efforts ultimately fell short, and the Mountaineers fell to Wofford 66-64.
The Mountaineers’ next game will take place Wednesday against Chattanooga, at 7 p.m. in the Holmes Convocation Center.
Story: TYLER WOOD, Sports Reporter
Photo: AMY BIRNER, Intern Photographer |
