Around the Mountain - January 28  Appalachian Men's Basketball vs. Davidson (radio archive)

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Men's Basketball vs. Davidson

BOONE, N.C. - Davidson shot 51.9 percent from the field, including a blistering 61.5 percent in the first half, and Appalachian State University men's basketball had its five-game home winning streak snapped with a 79-56 loss to the visiting Wildcats on Saturday afternoon at the Holmes Center.

Davidson (13-7, 8-1 SoCon) made 16-of-26 shots in the opening period to jump out to a commanding 45-23 halftime lead and expanded the advantage to as many as 30 points in the second half.

The shooting exhibition was too much for Appalachian State (8-11, 4-4 SoCon) to overcome, despite a career-high-tying 18 points from Tevin Baskin. Nathan Healy also matched career highs with four blocked shots and four steals in the losing effort. Healy also joined Baskin in double-figures with 13 points.

Despite getting only 17 minutes from starting point guard Mike Neal, who is recovering from an ankle injury sustained during Thursday's win over Georgia Southern, Appalachian committed a season-low seven turnovers. However, the Mountaineers shot a season-worst 30.2 percent from the field (16-of-53), including just 21.4 percent (6-of-28) in the opening half.

After falling behind by three early in the first half, the Mountaineers were able to tie the game at 5-5 when Healy nailed a shot from long range to bring the Holmes Center crowd of nearly 3,000 to its feet.

The Wildcats responded with a 15-2 run that gave them a 20-7 lead with 14:25 remaining in the half, and the Mountaineers would get no closer than 11 points the rest of the way as Davidson went to the locker room with a 45-23 edge at the half.

Although the Wildcats would cool off in the second half, shooting just 42.3 percent (11-of-26) from the floor, but App State never really threatened as Davidson led by as many as 30 points (69-39) midway through the second period.

Jake Cohen led four Davidson players in double figures with 17 points while De'Mon Brooks notched a double-double with 16 points and 10 rebounds. Tyler Kalinoski scored 15 off the bench for the Wildcats and Chris Czerapowicz added 13 points and ripped down seven boards.

Davidson shot 51.9 percent (27-of-52) from the floor on the afternoon and converted 17-of-21 free throws (81.0 percent) while the Mountaineers connected on 21-of-30 foul shots.

The Wildcats finished with a 41-29 edge in rebounds and limited Appalachian to just five assists while dishing out 17, including a game-high seven from Tom Droney.

Appalachian State returns to action on Wednesday when it travels to College of Charleston for a 7 p.m. showdown with the Cougars.

GAME NOTES: The Mountaineers dropped to 32-39 all-time against the Wildcats... Davidson picked up its second-straight win in Boone... Appalachian's shooting percentage was its worst since shooting just 28.8 percent (15-of-52) in a 56-51 loss to Wofford in the SoCon Championship game on March 8, 2010... Saturday's loss snapped a string of five-straight games in which the Apps had at least four players score in double figures... the Mountaineers saw their five-game home win streak come to an end, the longest since the 2009-10 team won six in a row...