Adrian Delph scored 19 points, Justin Forrest made six of six from the free-throw line, including the game-winning two, and App State won a nail-biting home-opener against the Eastern Tennessee State Buccaneers 69-67 on Friday. The Mountaineers improve to 1-1 on the season as the Bucs lose their first game of the season. The black and gold also bounce back after losing their season-opener against the Iona Gaels on Wednesday.
The Mountaineers jumped out to an 11-5 lead to start the game, but ETSU would quickly score eight unanswered points to take the lead 13-11. The Buccaneers remained out front going into halftime with a 33-28 lead.
ETSU held the lead to start the second half, but App State would make five three-pointers, three of them coming from sophomore guard Michael Eads Jr, and tie the game at 51 points. From there the intensity would ramp up as the game saw four lead changes and four ties in the final six minutes as neither team could gain an advantage over the other.
It wouldn't be until the final minute when senior point guard Justin Forrest made his presence known. Despite being limited in the first half due to committing three personal fouls, Forrest would stay out of foul trouble in the second half and score four straight free throws, two in the final ten seconds, sealing the win for App State.
ETSU travels next Sunday to take on the 18th-ranked Tennesee Volunteers while App State will remain at home and play host to the William Peace Pacers on Monday. Tipoff for Monday's matchup at Holmes Convocation Center starts at 6:30 pm and will also be streamed on ESPN+. You can also catch the game on 90.5 WASU FM, wasuradio.com, and on the 90.5 WASU mobile app.