AJ-T Sports LIVE FROM... Jack Groce Stadium (Avery Lady Vikings soccer)

UPDATE #7: It's a wrap here at Watauga as the Lady Pioneers hand Avery its first loss of the 2012 season. AHS drops to 2-1-1 on the season as WHS improves to an even 2-2 for the young season.

Thanks for reading!

UPDATE #6: Watauga continues to tally the goals, as Katherine Welsh scores from around 20 yards out in the 57th minute, upping the WHS advantage to 5-0.

UPDATE #5: Baird adds her second goal off the evening off a steal, giving the Lady Pioneers a commanding 4-0 advantage.

UPDATE #4: Kendyl Baird scores off a well-placed assist from Skyler Hicks, staking the Lady Pioneers to a 3-0 lead in the 52nd minute of play.

UPDATE #3: An inadvertent handball in the penalty box gives the Lady Pioneers another penalty kick opportunity. Lillie Brady converts the kick, shootiing low left into the goal past the AHS keeper for a 2-0 Lady Pioneers advantage in the 48th minute of play.

UPDATE #2: Watauga leads the Lady Vikings 1-0 at intermission on a breezy, chilly evening at Jack Groce Stadium. The Lady Pioneers have had several shots on goal and were turned away on all but one opportunity. Avery meanwhile has had few good looks at the WHS goal thus far through 40 minutes. Second half to come!

UPDATE #1: A handball was called against Avery in the box in the 21st minute, and WHS's Lydia Mauney fired the penalty kick into the back of the net for the first goal of the match. Watauga leads Avery 1-0.

We're LIVE at Jack Groce Stadium in Boone for a non-conference soccer match between Avery High Lady Vikings and Watauga Lady Pioneers. Avery is 2-0-1 on the season, coming off a scoreless tie on Tuesday against Chase. Watauga is 1-2, coming off a 4-0 home loss earlier this week to AC Reynolds.

We'll be providing updates throughout the match. Thanks for reading!

SoCon Quarterfinal Saturday

UPDATE #12: UNCG holds off the ASU upset bid by a 65-55 final score. ASU doesn't make a field goal for the final 12:55 of the contest, while UNCG finds the second gear to pull off the win. UNCG will move on to play the Western Carolina/Wofford winner in tomorrow evening's first semifinal contest. Postgame press conference, then hopefully a quick recap following. ASU ends its season with a 13-18 record. Thanks for reading!.

UPDATE #11: UNCG has its largest lead of the game, four points, at 59-55 at the final media timeout at 3:40. ASU has not shot the ball well from the field for much of the second half. UNCG has found success from medium range shooting the basketball, and has improved rebounding on both ends of the floor to get back into the contest. A berth in Sunday's semifinal is on the line.

UPDATE #10: 7:46 remains in the contest and the Spartans have rebounded from an 11-point second-half deficit to knot the contest at 51-51. UNCG has outscored ASU 13-1 over a 5:05 span to make this a new ballgame.

UPDATE #9: A 7-0 UNCG run has cut the lead to three at 49-46. ASU takes a timeout to talk things over at the 9:46 mark.

UPDATE #8: ASU holds a 49-39 lead with 11:45 left on the second half clock. UNCG has improved its offensive rebounding in the second half, but are still missing a number of shots within five feet of the basket.

ASU has been hustling hard throughout this game, and looks to be the hungrier team to this point. Lots of time remaining and anything can happen, especially in tournament play.

UPDATE #7: ASU has stretched its lead to 49-38 after a couple of easy missed shots, one a dunk and the other a layup, from UNCG. A steal and Nate Healy layup pushed ASU's lead past double-figures for the first time today with 12:55 left to play, forcing a UNCG timeout.

UPDATE #6: ASU shot 52 percent from the floor in the first half, and continues to shoot well, holding a 43-35 lead with 15:58 to play in the game. An Andre Williamson field goal and Butts score off an offensive rebound has been the scoring in the half thus far for the Mountaineers

UPDATE #5: At intermission, ASU leads UNCG 39-32. A field goal at the buzzer just inside the three-point arc by Jamaal Trice spots the Mountaineers the seven-point halftime edge.


UPDATE #4: With 3:49 to play in the opening half, ASU holds a slim 28-26 lead. The Mountaineers offense, which started with a hot streak, has suddenly gone stone cold from the field, missing its last four shots in a row. UNCG is starting to heat up, but isn't setting the world on fire with its shooting, either.

UPDATE #3: With 6:29 to play in the opening half, ASU holds a 28-22 lead over UNCG. Butts continues to be a force inside on offense with 10 points, with 10 from Carter. David Williams has six points to lead UNCG. ASU has rebounded well, specifically on the defensive end of the floor thus far, while Butts has cleaned up several offensive putbacks.

UPDATE #2: With 11:43 to play in the first half, ASU trails UNCG 16-15. Isaac Butts has been active for the Mountaineers with six points, while UNCG has somewhat spread the scoring around to grab its slim lead. The winner of today's game takes on the winner of our next game between Western Carolina and Wofford.

UPDATE #1:  ASU holds a narrow 9-7 lead at the 15:33 mark. Omar Carter has a three-pointer and five points total as the Mountaineers built an early 7-2 lead, but a three-pointer by Trevis Simpson helped bring UNCG back to knot the score. A Williamson basket prior to the first media timeout gives ASU the slim two-point lead.

We're back for day two of the Southern Conference men's basketball tournament. It's ASU taking on UNC-Greensboro in the first game of the day. UNCG is the top seed out of the Northern Division, with ASU the fourth seed.

ASU hopes to build on its 93-81 win over Charleston on Friday, while today marks UNCG's first tourney game after yesterday's bye.

We'll be here throughout the game with updates on the contest, as well as a wrapup following the contest.

Southern Conference Tournament Update

In the closest game of the opening round, Furman and Samford go down to the wire for the right to face Davidson in Saturday's quarterfinal round.

The Paladins hold on with late free throws to capture the victory by the final score of 75-66 and advance. The final game of the first round pits Chattanooga against Georgia Southern.

ASU head coach Jason Capel, with players Isaac Butts and Omar Carter, discuss the Mountaineers' 93-81 win over College of Charleston in the first round of the 2012 Southern Conference Men's Basketball Tournament.

College of Charleston SoCon Tournament Postgame Interview session

College of Charleston head coach Mark Byington and select players discuss its tournament first-round contest against Appalachian State University.

AJT Sports LIVE FROM... ExploreAsheville.com Arena (SoCon Men's Basketball Tournament)

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UPDATE #7: ASU defeats Charleston 93-81          to advance to to the tournament quarterfinals. Charleston has mounted an admirable comeback from a large deficit, but today appears to be ASU's day. The Mountaineers will take on the North Division top seed UNC-Greensboro at noon tomorrow (Saturday).

Omar Carter has 21 points, with 22 from Mike Neal, 15 points from Tab Hamilton and 11 from Ike Butts.

UPDATE #6: After ASU holds a lead as large as 16 points, CofC has been raining three-pointers, cutting the Mountaineer advantage to only eight points at 82-74 with 2:03 to play in the game. ASU will need to make free throws down the stretch to protect its advantage.

UPDATE #5: The Mountaineers' lead has been extended to 69-55 with 5:42 to play. Omar Carter has a pair of three-pointers over the past four minutes, while ASU has crashed the boards with a passion. Ike Butts has chipped in with 11 thus far for ASU.

CofC has three players in double-figures, led by Wiedeman's 14.

UPDATE #4: ASU leads 54-46 with 11:30 and counting to play in the ballgame.. Tab Hamilton has 11 points for the Mountaineers, while Trent Wiedeman paces CofC with 14 points.

UPDATE #3: We are at halftime in Asheville and ASU holds a 33-30 lead over College of Charleston. App held a lead of close to 10 points before the CofC comeback late in the half. Second half action to come!

UPDATE #2: CofC has cut the ASU lead to 26-22 with 3:35 left in the first half. Andre Williamson leads the Mountaineers with six points, while Wiedeman's eight points still leads the Cougars.

Update #1: ASU has gone on a scoring run to take a 26-19 lead lead with under five minutes to play in the first half. Mike Neal has five points, as does Isaac Butts. The Mountaineers have also hit a pair of three-point baskets in the half thus far. Trent Wiedeman is pacing the Cougars with eight points.

From ExploreAsheville.com Arena (formerly known as Asheville Civic Center) it's the 2012 Southern Conference Men's Basketball Tournament.

With 12:30 left to play in the first half, College of Charleston and Appalachian State are tied at 7-7..ASU is the visiting club as the #4 seed out of the North, with CofC playing as the No. 3 seed out of the South Division.

We'll be updating progress throughout not only the ASU game, but each of today's first-round contests, including Western Carolina v. The Citadel (2 p.m.), Samford v. Furman (6 p.m.) and Georgia Southern v. Chattanooga (8:30 p.m.)

AJT Sports LIVE FROM...HOLMES CONVOCATION CENTER (Elon vs. ASU)

UPDATE #9: ASU wins it 76-64 over Winthrop for its 12th win of the season. Butts finished with 15 points and unofficially 15 rebounds. Solid non-conference win for the Mountaineers.

UPDATE #8: ASU holds a 70-62 lead with 3:15 left to play. Morgan has scored 22 for the Eagles, while Neal has come alive for ASU with six in the half, along with seven points from Healy.

UPDATE #7: Winthrop has made it a ballgame, taking a 58-57 lead  with 7:43 to play. Following a timeout, ASU answers with a Neal three-pointer to regain the lead with under seven minutes to play. ASU leads 60-58 with 6:50 to play in the game. Morgan leads WU with 20 points, while Carter leads ASU with 15 points. ASU is only 7-of-19 shooting from the field in the second half, while Winthrop has made 10-for 23 shots.

UPDATE #6: ASU leads 49-44 with 15:54 to play. Butts already has a double-double for the game with 11 points and 11 rebounds, while Middleton continues to lead Winthrop with 13 points.

UPDATE #5: ASU leads Winthrop 41-35 at halftime. Hamilton has scored nine points, but Carter and Butts each have 11 points to pace ASU. Middleton and Morgan has combined for 24 of Winthrop's 35 first-half points.

UPDATE #4:  ASU's lead has been trimmed from 24-10 to 34-28 with 3:43 to play in the half. Middleton has remained in the game for Winthrop and has scored 10 points, with nine from Morgan. Butts leads ASU with 11 points, with 10 from Carter and five points from Tab Hamilton. Winthrop has shot 50 percent from the floor, while ASU is at 48 percent.

UPDATE #3: ASU leads 28-17 with 7:35 left in the opening half. Carter and Butts have combined for 19 points, while ASU has dominated the rebounding margin 17-6 thus far. Reggie Middleton has five points for Winthrop, but also has two fouls.

UPDATE #2: At the 11:28 mark of the first half, the Mountaineers hold an early 21-8 lead. Carter has 10 points already for ASU, with six points from Butts. Matt Morgan paces Winthrop with five points.

UPDATE #1:  Ike Butts has been a FORCE so far in the opening four minutes, as has Omar Carter has eight points, with four points and six rebounds by Butts in the opening five minutes. ASU leads 14-4 at the 14:16 mark of the first half.

We are LIVE from Holmes Convocation Center in Boone for today's Sears Bracketbusters men's college basketball game between Winthrop (11-17) and ASU (11-15).

Today is Senior Day at The Rock, as Isaac Butts, Omar Carter, Petey Hausley and Andre Williamson suit up for the final time to play before the home crowd. ASU hopes to build momentum off its 79-70 victory Wednesday against Chattanooga, while Winthrop is reeling, having lost three of its last four, including a 48-45 loss to Presbyterian last Tuesday, Feb. 14.

Freshman Mike Neal poured in a career-best 23 points along with five rebounds and three assists. The point guard has led ASU in scoring in each of the last three games.

Andre Jones scores 16.9 out of Winthrop's 63.9 points per game, while Reggie Middleton also reaches double figures at 12.2 points per game.  George Valentine adds 7.9 rebounds, 8.8 points and more than a block per game.

ASU improved to 4-1 in the all-time series with the Eagles following a 70-51 win in 2009-10. Led by 20 points from Jeremi Booth, the Mountaineers cruised to a 70-39 lead with five minutes to play in the game
before going cold and allowing Winthrop to score the game’s final 12 points.

Isaac Butts notched a double-double with 15 points and 10 rebounds in the contest, while Andre Williamson hauled in 10 rebounds of his own against the eventual Big South Conference champion.

We'll be providing updates throughout the game, scheduled to tip off at 2 p.m. Thanks for reading!

Four Vikings Compete at 1A Western Regionals

A quartet of wrestlers, Justin Gragg, Harley Rash, Zac Freeman and Josh Gragg, are wrestling this weekend at the 1A Western Regional tournament at Isothermal Community College in Forest City. Justin Gragg won his first match, while Rash defeated his opponent by pinfall. Freeman and Josh Gragg came up short in their first bouts, but all four wrestlers return on Saturday to compete in the hopes of earning a berth in the 1A state wrestling championships in Greensboro next weekend.

AJ-T Sports LIVE FROM.... HOLMES CONVOCATION CENTER (ASU v. Chattanooga)

UPDATE #11: ASU puts together a strong performance en route to a SoCon win by the final score of 79-70. The Mountaineers will host Winthrop in an ESPN Bracketbusters game this Saturday, Feb. 21, at 2 p.m. at Holmes Center. Thanks for reading!

UPDATE #10: ASU leads 76-65 with 1:13 to play. A pair of Neal free throws pushes the Mountaineers lead back over double-figures. ASU has stalled with the ball offensively for the past three possessions. The Mocs have only drawn within nine points only in the second half.

UPDATE #9: ASU's lead stands at 12 points at 71-59 with 3:51 remaining in the game. Mike Neal has 19 points to lead the Apps, with eight points from Tab Hamilton. Mitch Woods has chipped in with seven points, all in the second half. The Mocs has used the free throw line to slowly cut the lead without loss of time.

UPDATE #8: The Mountaineers lead has slipped to 61-49 with 8:05 to play, prompting a Mountaineer timeout, after what has amounted to a 20-10 scoring run.

UPDATE #7: ASU leads 57-40 with 11:57 to play in the game. An 11-6 mini-run by UTC has cut the ASU 22-point margin to 17. Ronrico White has a pair of three-pointers for UTC, as the Mocs have finally begun to warm up from the field, improving on a percentage that hovered around the 25-percent mark. ASU's defense has been tough, adding seven total blocks in the contest to its defensive effort.

UPDATE #6: ASU picked up where it left off to start the second half, outscoring UTC 11-6 over the first 3:13 of the second half. Mike Neal has 14 points, while Mitch Woods has a couple of baskets in the early going of the second 20 minutes.

UPDATE #5: At the half, ASU leads UTC 40-25. Jamaal Trice scored eight points in the half, with seven points from Healy and Neal. Zlovaric leads the Mocs with 10 points.

ASU shot 45.7 percent from the field in the first half, including 6-for-13 from three-point range. The Mocs converted only 9 of 34 shots for the first 20 minutes, including 4-of-16 from three-point range.

ASU committed just five turnovers in the half, compared to six for Chattanooga. ASU leads UTC 8-0 in fast break points, with an 18-6 advantage in bench points.

UPDATE #4: A 12-1 ASU run over the past 3:42 extends the Mountaineers lead to 35-20 with 3:45 remaining in the half. ASU has  drained six-three point baskets thus far in 11 shots. Healy leads the Mountaineers with seven points, with six from Jamaal Trice and Mike Neal.

UPDATE #3: With 7:27 to play in the first half, ASU leads 23-19. Healy leads the Apps with five points, with four from Hausley. Zlovaric has paced the Mocs with eight points, with six points from Hampton. ASU has shot slightly more than 47 percent thus far (9-19), while the Mocs are shooting just 31 percent (7-22).

UPDATE #2: ASU leads 14-12. UTC missed 10 of its first 11 shots to start the game, but a pair of Dontay Hampton three-pointers drew the Mocs within one. A basket each from Ike Butts and Omar Carter helped the Mountaineers keep its margin.

UPDATE #1: ASU leads 7-4 after the first four minutes of action. Mike Neal has a three-pointer, with buckets from Ike Butts and Petey Hausley.

Drazen Zlovaric has all four points thus far for the Mocs.

We're LIVE at Appalachian State for another evening of Southern Conference men's basketball, as the Mountaineers host Northern Division foe Chattanooga. 

The Mountaineers (10-15, 6-9 SoCon) is coming off a difficult 66-64 loss to Wofford, while Chattanooga (10-17, 4-10 SoCon) is looking to bounce back from a loss to UNC-Greensboro.

The Mountaineers fell by just two points in the first meeting against UTC, 65-63, at McKenzie Arena last month. It was the 10th-straight home win in the series between the two perennial SoCon North contenders.

Omar Wattad leads the Mocs with 13.4 points per game and 39.1 percent shooting from downtown. Ricky Taylor (13.2) and Drazen Zlovaric (10.6) also score in double figures for UTC, whose offense runs through Keegan Bell. Bell leads the SoCon with 6.4 assists per contest.

Last month’s 65-63 setback at Chattanooga marked the 10th straight win by the home team in the series. The Mocs hold a 42-29 advantage in the long-running series. 

Below are the current standings in the Southern Conference:

We'll be here throughout the evening with game updates. Thanks for reading!

AJ-T Sports LIVE FROM... Viking Gym (Western Highlands Conference Wrestling Tournament)

AJT Sports is LIVE mat-side for the 2012 Western Highlands Conference Wrestling Tournament. Individual and team champions will be crowned this evening featuring some of the most talented wrestlers in the Western region.

In addition to providing public address, we hope to be providing updates throughout the tournament on the progress of Avery competitors, as well as updated matchups, with a list of champions in respective weight classes by evening's end.

Refresh regularly for updates throughout the night, and thanks for reading The AJT Sports Blog!

AJ-T Sports LIVE FROM...Holmes Center (ASU basketball v. Samford)

Update #7: Down to the wire, ASU trailed by one after a Carter three-pointer. ASU had the basketball, but a turnover gave it back to Samford, forcing ASU to foul with 24 seconds to play. Samford hits a pair of free throws to lead 53-50. ASU was unable to hit a field goal attempt, then missed the front end of a one-and-one. Samford missed a free throw and ASU hurriedly brought the ball upfloor, where Tab Hamilton was fouled shooting a three-point attempt with 0.5 seconds to play. Hamilton needed to make all three free throws to send the game to overtime. Hamilton made the first freebie and missed the second. Following an ASU timeout, Hamilton intentionally tried to miss the third free throw attempt, but made it off the glass. Samford holds on for the 53-52 win.

Thanks for reading!

Update #6: 3:29 remains in the game and ASU trails Samford 46-44. Samford has shot abysmal from the three-point line, going 0-8 in the second half and 3-for-19 for the game. Nevertheless, the Mountaineers have not shot the basketball well, either, just 5 for 20 from three-point range and less than 38 percent for the game.

Update #5: ASU regains the lead 42-41 with a Mike Neal three-pointer with 6:50 to play in the game. Ike Butts has made his presence felt inside, altering shots that were easier for Samford to make earlier in the game.

Update #4: Samford leads ASU 39-35 after a 9-0 run from the Bulldogs. ASU has went cold from the field, while Samford has worked hard at second-chance opportunities with offensive rebounding. ASU has been out of sync for much of the second half, and has 11:37 to right the proverbial ship.

Update #3: ASU holds a 35-30 lead at the first media timeout of the second half. There has not been a solid scoring run by either team thus far where it can be said that a team seized momentum. Neither team is shooting 40 percent thus far for the game, making for not the prettiest of contests through the first 24 minutes-plus.

Update #2: ASU leads Samford 31-26 at intermission. Nathan Healy leads the Mountaineers with seven points, with five points apiece from Trice and Williamson. Hood leads Samford with 10 points, with seven from Drew Winder and four from Raijon Kelly. Second half action to come!

Update #1: With 3:57 to play before halftime, ASU holds a 25-23 lead over Samford. Hood leads all scorers with 10 points, while Jamaal Trice leads ASU with five points.

We're live at Holmes Center for tonight's Southern Conference hoops game between ASU and visiting Samford. The Bulldogs come in at 7-14 overall, while the Mountaineers sit at 9-11 for the season.

11:08 remains in the first half, and the teams are tied at 12-12. Tyler Hood of Samford leads all scorers with six points, while ASU's Tab Hamilton and Mike Neal each have a three-pointer thus far.

We'll be offering updates throughout the contest. Thanks for reading!

AJT Sports LIVE FROM...HOLMES CONVOCATION CENTER (Elon vs. ASU)

Update #6: The Mountaineers move to 9-11, with a 5-5 SoCon mark with a win this afternoon over Elon. The two teams meet in Elon on Feb. 6, but the Black and Gold will retain bragging rights until then.

Jamaal Trice and Omar Carter each registered double-figures in the win, with both players scoring in the 20-point neighborhood.

Thanks for reading!

Update #5: ASU leads 75-59 with 1:43 left to play. The Mountaineers appear poised to hold serve at home against one of its chief competitors in the SoCon North Division. The Mountaineers have shot over 50 percent from the field in the second half, helping to maintain its working margin.

Update #4: ASU opened up a 15-point lead around the 12-minute mark, but Elon has cut the lead under 10 points at 62-54 with eight minutes to play.

Despite Elon's best efforts, ASU maintains a double-figure advantage at 66-54 with 5:28 to play.

Update #3: ASU leads Elon 35-28 with 17:38 to play in the contest. Defense has been strong for the Mountaineers thus far, holding Elon to around 30 percent shooting from the field. Unfortunately, the Mountaineers aren't shooting a lot better, as it's shooting around 36 percent.

Update #2: At halftime, ASU leads Elon 29-26. Jamaal Trice and Ike Butts scored 7 points apiece to lead the Mountaineers, with Jack Isenbarger leading Elon with six points in the opening half. There have been six ties and nine lead changes in the first 20 minutes. Should make for an interesting and competitive second half.

Update #1: ASU leads by a point midway through the first half. Ike Butts has a pair of baskets for ASU, as neither squad is playing its best basketball 10 minutes in.

We're in Boone at Holmes Center for this afternoon's Southern Conference basketball tangle between Elon and Appalachian State. ASU looks to bounce back from a loss Thursday night at UNC-Greensboro, while Elon (10-9, 5-3 SoCon) rides into town off the momentum of a 71-63 win over Western Carolina.

ASU has won six straight games over the Phoenix, but today's game is set up to be a tight-knit affair. We'll be updating  proceedings through the afternoon.

Live from the Holmes Center: ASU vs. Western Carolina

3:00 p.m.: It is almost game time here in the Holmes Center between the Appalachain State Mountaineers and the Western Carolina Catamounts in the first game of a doubleheader. The Mountaineers are coming off a 73-61 loss at Wofford, while the Catamounts put up 141 points against Tocca Falls in a 141-39 victory on Tuesday.

First media TO: The Catamounts opened the scoring with a slam as they ran out to a 7-3 lead five minutes itno the game. Jamaal Trice provided the lone 3-pointer for the Mountaineers in the time frame.

Under 12 media TO: At the under 12 minute media timeout, the Mountaineers lead 10-9 after Omar Carter drains a 3-pointer. App went on a 7-2 run during the four minute span between media timeouts. So far, Trice has had five points, while Tawaski King had four for the Catamounts.

Under eight media TO: Western goes on a 7-0 run to take a 16-12 lead at the under eight timeout.

Under four media TO: With 3:32 left in the first half, the Mountaineers trail the Catamounts 25-22 with two ASU free throws on the way after the break. Western ran out to a 23-15 lead before Andre Williamson hit a bucket to end a WCU run. So far, the Catamounts are getting a solid effort from James Sinclair who has seven points, while App has two players with five points apiece.

Half: At the break, App takes a 33-29 lead into the locker room after using a 9-0 run to pull within one, and then Trice scored five points, including an old fashion 3-point play off a steal at midcourt to send App to the lead. In the closing stages of the half, App outscored the Catamounts 14-4.

Trice leads App with 12 points. As a team, the Mountaineers are shooting 48% from the floor.

First media TO of the second half: Western battled back to tie the game at 33 in the opening minutes of the frame, but Carter knocked a 3-pointer to put ASU back up. The Mountaineers used that to run to a 42-36 lead. In the first four minutes of the half, App is 3-of-4 shooting.

Under 12 media TO: App holds Western without a field goal for a five minute span as the Mountaineers run out toa  53-40 lead with 11:44 left in the game In that stretch, App outscored the Catamounts 15-2 to take some seperation. Holmes Center is rocking with a great crowd.

Under 8 media TO: What a difference a four minute stretch can make as App only scores two points and Western cuts the ASU led to 55-53 with 7:45 left inthe game. So far, the teams have responded to a basket by the others only nine times since the start of the game.

Under 4 media TO: With 3:49 left, App jumps back out after WCU ties the game at 59 with a 7-0 run including two big plays from Trice. So far, Trice has 19 poiunts, and Carter and Butts join him in double-digit scoring with 12 and 11 points, respectively.

Final: We are almost final here in the Holmes Center,and the Mountaineers appear to be heading victory as they lead by 11 (80-69) with just a minute remaining. If anything happens we will back to let you know, and we will have final stats here later this evening. Thanks for reading and have a great afternoon!

AJ-T Sports LIVE FROM...Holmes Center (ASU basketball v. Davidson)

Update #13: ASU cut the lead again to as little as three points, but a Nik Cochran free throw with 2.6 seconds to play ended the contest, as Davidson took a hard-fought 83-79 win over ASU. Omar Carter finished with 17 points, with 15 points from Jamaal Trice and 14 from Andre Williamson. De'Mon Brooks finished with 19 for Davidson, with 21 from Jake Cohen.

That's the story from Boone. Thanks for following the AJ-T Sports Blog!

Update #12: With a few ticks under three minutes to play, ASU trails 74-70. De'Mon Brooks has came back to life for Davidson with 14 points, while both Andre Williamson and Omar Carter are in for the Mountaineers with four fouls each. This one appears to be going down to the wire.

Davidson scores five more points and took a 79-70 lead, but a Carter three-pointer cut the lead to six points at 79-73. A huge offensive rebound and basket by Davidson pushed the lead back to eight, though, effectively sealing the game.

Update #11: ASU has seized its first lead of the game on an Omar Carter jumper with 4:44 to play, staking ASU a 70-69 lead over Davidson. Both teams are leaving it out on the court in this SoCon battle.

Update #10: Davidson's lead is only a pair at 66-64. ASU has ratcheted up the defensive intensity and GJ Vilarino has stepped up with six points in the second half. A trio of DC players have four fouls, as does ASU's Williamson. Just over seven minutes remain in this highly entertaining contest.

Update #9: ASU is within three points at 61-58. Davidson has cooled off from three-point range, and ASU's offense has warmed up, with three point plays from GJ Vilarino and Jamaal Trice. Just over nine minutes remains in the contest, and it's anyone's ballgame.

Update #8: ASU trails by seven with just under 15 minutes to play. Davidson continues to make its living from the perimeter, but has also found success in the paint.

Update #7: At halftime ASU is paced by 12 points from Andre Williamson and six points each from Nathan Healy and Jamaal Trice. Davidson is led by Jake Cohen and Clint Mann with eight points apiece. and seven from Czerapowicz. Both teams shot more than 50 percent in the first half, but ASU is only 10 of 17 from the free throw line in the first 20 minutes.

Second half is coming up!

Update #6: ASU trails Davidson 46-40 at intermission as a Chris Czerapowicz three-pointer at the horn doubles the Wildcat lead.

Update #5: ASU gets a three-pointer from Jamaal Trice and four points from Nathan Healy to slice the Davidson lead to 43-40 (a 10-3 ASU scoring run) with a little under 90 seconds to play in the first half.

Update #4: Davidson's lead has been as high as 10 points at 40-30, but ASU continues to chip away, starting with defense. ASU trails by only five with around two minutes to play in the opening half. There is a video uploaded of some footage from the first half.

Update #3: Davidson has built a 29-22 lead, forcing an ASU timeout. De'Mon Brooks has seven points to pace the Wildcats, as Davidson has shot well from the field thus far (12-for-21). ASU has shot 9-for-14 from the field and still finds itself trailing by seven points with just under eight minutes to play in the half.

Update #2: Davidson maintains a three-point edge at 22-19. Andre Williamson has six early points, while seven different Wildcats have already registered points slightly more than eight minutes into the contest.

Update #1:  Davidson holds a 14-10 advantage early in the first half. Jake Cohen has six to lead the Wildcats, while Tab Hamilton has gotten off to a good start for ASU with five points.

It's a big-time rivalry in Boone this afternoon as ASU hosts Davidson in Southern Conference hoops action. ASU is coming off a home win two nights ago over Furman, while Davidson easily handled Western Carolina in its last contest.

Davidson has three starters averaging double-figures scoring, while Appalachian leads the league in blocked shots. The Wildcats sit atop the SoCon North Division with a 5-0 conference mark, while ASU looks to continue its climb to the top of the standings.

We'll be updating the contest throughout the afternoon. Thanks for reading!

BREAKING: Satterfield returns to ASU as Assistant Head Coach, additional positions

Former ASU assistant coach Scott Satterfield 
returns to ASU as assistant head coach,
offensive coordinator and quarterbacks coach

Courtesy ASU Sports Information

Scott Satterfield, who was part of three national championships and six Southern Conference titles as a player and coach at Appalachian State University, has returned to Appalachian as assistant head coach, offensive coordinator and quarterbacks coach, ASU head coach Jerry Moore announced on Wednesday.

Satterfield, who spent 15 seasons at ASU as a player (1992-95) and coach (1998-2008), returns after three years away from his alma mater. He left Appalachian to be the passing game coordinator and quarterbacks coach at Toledo in 2009 before spending the last two seasons as the offensive coordinator at Florida International. He is the first coach to hold the title of assistant head coach in Moore’s 23 years at Appalachian and the Mountaineers’ first official offensive coordinator since Rob Best held the title from 1989-2002.

In Satterfield’s only season at Toledo, the Rockets ranked 20th nationally in passing (278.5 yards per game) and 14th in total offense (438.3 ypg), averages that were 89 and 104 yards better than the season prior to his arrival. In two seasons at Florida International, Satterfield helped lead the Golden Panthers to the first two bowl appearances in school history, including a victory over Toledo in the 2010 Little Ceasars Bowl. After going 3-9 and averaging 321 yards of offense the year prior to his arrival, FIU won 15 games and averaged 380 yards in Satterfield’s two seasons as offensive coordinator.

Prior to his three seasons in the NCAA Division I FBS ranks, Satterfield spent the first 11 seasons of his coaching career at Appalachian, mentoring the Mountaineers’ wide receivers (1998), running backs (1999-2002) and quarterbacks (2003-08). He was an integral part of ASU’s transition from a power-I to a spread offense in 2004 and the five record-setting offensive campaigns that followed. With Satterfield serving as the Mountaineers’ primary play-caller, Appalachian ranked among the nation’s top 20 in the five major offensive statistical categories (scoring, rushing, passing, passing efficiency and total offense) 17 out of a possible 25 times from 2004-08, highlighted by an explosive 2007 campaign when ASU led the nation with a school-record 488.3 yards of total offense per game.

As Appalachian’s quarterbacks coach, Satterfield also oversaw the development of the most prolific signal-callers in school history — Richie Williams and Armanti Edwards, coaching both to all-America recognition and being Edwards’ mentor for the first of his back-to-back Walter Payton Awards (NCAA Division I FCS Player of the Year in 2008). Prior to coaching the Mountaineers’ quarterbacks, Satterfield also mentored a 1,000-yard rusher (Jimmy Watkins — 2001) and the 11th-leading rusher in school history (Jerry Beard — 2000-02).

As a player at ASU, Satterfield made 27 starts at quarterback from 1992-95. He earned first-team all-conference recognition as a senior in 1995 after passing for 1,461 yards and rushing for 649 more to help lead the Mountaineers to the only undefeated, untied regular season in school history (11-0) and a 12-1 final record.

“I’m very excited that Scott is coming back to Appalachian,” Moore said. “We haven’t had an offensive coordinator here in quite some time but I feel comfortable with Scott in that role. He was a terrific player and a terrific coach here for 15 years and his experience at Toldeo and Florida International has made him an even better coach today than he was when he left three years ago. In addition to him being a great coach, he is an even better man and leader of young men, on and off the field. It is great to have Scott, Beth, Bryce, Isaac and Alli back at ASU.”

“My family and I are thrilled for the opportunity to come back home to Appalachian,” Satterfield said. “I am extremely excited to start working with our 2012 team.”

Satterfield, 39, is married to the former Beth Burleson, who, as Appalachian’s women’s track and field MVP in 1995, won SoCon titles in the 55-meter and 400-meter hurdles and was a member of ASU’s conference-championship 4x400-meter relay team. The couple has two sons (Bryce and Isaac) and a daughter (Alli).

In additional ASU coaching news, Kareem Young, a former Appalachian State University football standout and assistant director of strength and conditioning at ASU for the past two years, has been promoted to interim director of strength and conditioning, director of athletics Charlie Cobb announced on Tuesday, Jan. 3.

Young will oversee the strength and conditioning efforts of Appalachian’s 20 varsity programs while working primarily with Mountaineer football. He has worked with the football program extensively since joining ASU’s staff in 2010 and also directed strength-and-conditioning activities for men’s and women’s soccer each of the past two years and women’s basketball last season.

A four-year letter winner and three-year starter at running back for ASU from 1994-98, Young spent eight years in the business sector at IBM. While with IBM, he remained active in the field of sports performance with the L.I.F.T. Health Organization, which he has been involved with since 2000. He currently serves on the organization’s board of directors and is the research lead for a case study titled Cognition in Competition: Evaluating Athletic Achievement and Performance, which examines mental cognition of athletes that results in higher physical achievement and performance levels. 

Young left IBM in 2005 to return to athletics on a full-time basis in his native Tampa, Fla. He served in a variety of roles with the Robles Park Wildcats youth football organization, including as president and head coach, and spent 18 months as an assistant coach and head athletic trainer at Tampa’s Middleton H.S. before returning to Appalachian, where he earned a B.S. in industrial/organizational psychology and business.

Last summer, Young was a training camp/preseason strength and conditioning intern for the National Football League’s Oakland Raiders.

Young replaces Mike Kent, who has accepted a similar position at Colorado State, where he will work closely with longtime friend Jim McElwain, CSU’s recently named head football coach. Kent and McElwain were on the same staff at Louisville from 2000-02.

Also on Tuesday, Jan. 3, assistant football coaches Brad Glenn, Trey Elder and John Holt resigned their positions at ASU to join the staff of former Mountaineer assistant Mark Speir at Western Carolina. A search to fill the four open positions on Appalachian’s football staff will begin immediately. 

Avery Basketball at Polk (Tues.) and at Ashe (Wed.) postponed

Vikings Basketball at Polk Co. scheduled for this afternoon (Tuesday, Jan. 3) has been postponed due to inclement weather. 

In addition, Avery's basketball games scheduled for Wednesday, Jan. 4, at Ashe County have also been postponed. Ashe had to reschedule its conference game at North Wilkes from Tuesday to Wednesday due to weather. No make-up dates have been set. 

Continue to check with The Avery Journal-Times for updates on Avery High School athletics.

Lady Vikings rout Highland Tech, Viking boys team opens play Wednesday

The Avery Lady Vikings scored early and often on the Highland Tech Lady Rams on Tuesday, Dec. 27, at Draughn High School for the Draughn Christmas Tournament, winning by a final score of 68-37.

Monica Estep, Lauren Burleson and Megan Tennant scored 12 points each to pace the Big Red as it picked up its ninth win of the season. Avery plays host Draughn, who was victorious over Burns Tuesday night, at 7 p.m. on Wednesday, Dec. 28, in the tourney title game.

The Avery boys team opens play at the Cherokee Holiday on the Hardwood Tournament on Wednesday, Dec. 28, at 11 a.m. against Chattanooga Christian School. With a win, the team will play on Thursday evening. Should Avery not emerge victorious, the team returns to the court at 11 a.m. on Thursday, Dec. 29.

Avery Vikings Holiday Tournament Update (VIDEO)

A brief video update from The AJT Sports Editor Jamie Shell on upcoming Vikings varsity basketball tournament action.

 We'll be providing coverage of both tournaments, including multimedia from this week's Cherokee Holiday Tournament.

AJT Sports LIVE FROM... DEAN E. SMITH CENTER (ASU/UNC basketball)

U

UPDATE #13: UNC gave up a good portion of its lead, but has enough to defeat ASU by the final score of 97-82. Omar Carter led ASU with 20 points, with 15 points from Mike Neal and 11 each from Tab Hamilton and Andre Williamson. Zeller's 31 points paces the Tar Heels
.
Thanks for following along, and catch a full recap in next week's edition of The AJT.

Update #12: UNC holds a 15-point lead on ASU with 3:43 to play at 87-72. Coach Williams pulled his starters with 4:00 left, but the Mountaineers continue to battle, largely behind Mike Neal and Nathan Healy who has sparked the Black and Gold on both ends of the floor.

Update #11: Zeller leaves the game at the 8:00 mark with 31 points and 10 rebounds. Meanwhile, ASU has cut into the UNC lead, trailing 79-62 with 6:41 to play in the game. Mike Neal has come alive with eight points to help pace the Mountaineers.

UPDATE #10: UNC leads 73-46 with 11:34 to play. Okum has picked up a fifth foul just prior to the media timeout, leaving the Apps further depleted inside.

UPDATE #9: UNC has built a 69-44 lead and ASU coach Jason Capel takes another timeout to try to stem the tide. Zeller has been a beast inside with eight points in the half and 28 for the game.

UPDATE #8: ASU trails 61-41 at the first media timeout of the second half.

Update #7: With 16:39 to play, the Heels have opened up a 56-37 advantage. Both Ike Butts and Brian Okum have four personal fouls against the trees in the Carolina post. ASU takes a timeout to try to halt momentum.

UPDATE #6: At halftime, ASU trails Carolina 48-32. Zeller scores on a bucket at the buzzer to give the Heels a 16-point edge. a 13-2 UNC run over the final 3:50 closes the half to push the margin after ASU cut the lead to five points.
Omar Carter has carried the Mountaineers with 16 points, with six points from Rodney Milum. Tyler Zeller has 20 points to lead the way for Carolina, with seven points and six rebounds from John Henson. and six points from Dexter Strickland.
Second half action to come!

UPDATE #5: ASU has cut the lead to 35-30 with 3:50 to play before halftime. Carter and Milum have both heated up from the perimeter, but the rebounding of Carolina has been consistently dominant. ASU has multiple players with two fouls, which might play a role late in the half and early into the second half.

UPDATE #4: At the under eight-minute media timeout, UNC leads ASU 29-19. UNC has pushed the ball upfloor and gotten a couple of easy baskets on the Mountaineers defense. Milum and Villarino have added buckets in the past few minutes, but UNC has continued to set the pace on the glass.

UPDATE #3: At the under 12-minute time out, UNC holds a 21-8 lead over ASU. Omar Carter has a pair of field goals since entering the contest. Zeller leads the Tar Heels with 11 points.

UPDATE #2: UNC jumps out to an early 13-4 advantage four and a half minutes into the contest. Tyler Zeller has seven points for UNC, with a bucket from Carter and Williamson to account for ASU's offense thus far. Carolina has had several second chance opportunities offensively thus far.

UPDATE #1: Okum, Milum, Williamson, Trice and Mike Neal start for ASU, with UNC countering with Strickland, Marshall, Zeller, Barnes and Henson. The Dean Dome is bouncing, although there is a good contingent of fans who have made their way from Boone for today's game.


We're LIVE at Dean E. Smith Center in Chapel Hill for this evening's hoops contest between Appalachian State and the No. 6 (AP) ranked North Carolina Tar Heels. ASU is coming off a disappointing home defeat to East Tennessee State last Saturday, Dec. 10, while UNC battled to down a game Long Beach State team the same day.

This is ASU's first meeting with Carolina since opening the Holmes Center in the 2000-2001 season. In that contest in Boone, UNC was dominant in a 99-69 win before the second-largest crowd in Holmes Center history.

Tip time is set for 6 p.m. in Chapel Hill, and we'll be reporting with updates throughout the contest. Thanks for reading!

AJ-T Sports LIVE FROM...Holmes Center (ASU basketball v. ETSU)

Update #12: ETSU holds on to take the win by the final score of 65-48. Adam Sollazzo and Isiah Brown combine for 37 points to push the Bucs to the win. ASU drops below .500 at 4-5 for the season. Rodney Milum leads ASU with a team-high 12 points in defeat.

The Mountaineers will next be in action next Saturday in Chapel Hill, where it will take on No. 6 ranked North Carolina. The AJ-T is working to be on-hand to provide coverage from the Smith Center.
Until next time, thanks for reading!

Update #11:  ETSU still holds a double-figure lead at 57-45 with 3:10 remaining. Milum appears to be the only Mountaineer with the outside touch as he has connected on a pair of three-point shots. ETSU made only two of its first 13 field goals this half, yet is able to maintain its advantage.

Update #10: ASU has put together a couple of defensive stops and has cut the lead to as low as it has been since the early minutes of the game, trailing 51-40 with 7:41 left in the game. The Mountaineers can still make this game interesting with another couple of defensive shutdowns. At one point in the game, ETSU held a 17-0 advantage in points off turnovers and holds a 30-12 advantage in the paint. A technical foul on Ike Butts for arguing a call, as well as a Rodney Milum three-pointer seems to have sparked the offense.

Update #9: ASU has drawn to within 49-34 with 11:26 to play in the contest. The Mountaineers are struggling with its shot from the perimeter, while ETSU has been efficient with the ball, committing only three turnovers thus far for the game. ETSU's Brown has paced the Bucs with 15 points, while Jamaal Trice leads ASU with nine points.

Update #$: Just over four minutes into the second half, and ETSU maintains an advantage at 48-30. ASU is showing improvement on the boards, but the Bucs continue to keep up the pressure defensively, making life difficult for the Mountaineers on offense. Coach Capel benched several starters to begin the second half, perhaps to send a message or to give them motivation to help the team narrow its deficit.

Update #7: At intermission, ETSU leads 43-24, as a three-pointer at the buzzer off ASU's 11th turnover of the half typifies the frustration of the Mountaineers on both sides of the floor.

We'll have some halftime stats shortly.

Update #6: 2:26 remains in the half, with ETSU leading 38-21. Turnovers have made life difficult for ASU, while ETSU continues to shoot around 50 percent for the half offensively.ETSU has dominated in the paint, outscoring ASU 24-4 inside through this near-complete first half. ASU must do a better job of establishing inside presence to cut into the Buc lead.

Update #5: It's danger time for the Mountaineers, as ETSU has opened up a commanding 36-19 lead using defense and strong offensive execution. It's almost as if the Bucs are a step ahead of ASU on both ends of the floor. Capel takes a timeout with 3:43 left as ETSU holds a 17-point lead.

Update #4: ASU is slowly crawling back into the contest, trailing 25-16 to ETSU with 7:28 to play in the opening half. Tab Hamilton has picked up six points off the bench to help the Mountaineers stay in the game thus far.

Update #3: An ETSU scoring run and some sloppy defense forces ASU to take a timeout at the 9:51 mark trailing 21-7. ETSU has been aggressively attacking the basket and getting numerous second-chance offensive rebounds.

Update #2: 11:34 remains in the first half and the Buccaneers have seized control of the game, leading 14-5. ASU already has six team fouls  to ETSU's 1. Coach Jason Capel has dipped into his bench quite a bit thus far in the opening eight minutes. Isiah Brown of ETSU leads all scorers with five points.

Update #1: At the first official timeout ETSU leads 6-2. ASU has committed a number of turnovers thus far, and has had a couple of mental lapses on defense. ETSU is an athletic team that matches up well with the Mountaineers, meaning today's game has the potential to remain a tight contest throughout.

LIVE at Holmes Convocation Center this afternoon for hoops action between East Tennessee State and Appalachian State. ASU fell to ETSU in the first meeting earlier this season between the schools.

ASU is coming off a loss at Minnesota earlier this week, and stands with a record of 4-4 on the season. ETSU, a member of Atlantic Sun Conference, has a 3-5 record and is entering Boone on a four-game losing skid, most recently falling 83-74 to Tennessee Tech.

We'll have updated action throughout the contest, along with additional information and tidbits along the way. Thanks for reading!

AJT Sports LIVE FROM... KIDD BREWER STADIUM (2nd Rd. FCS football playoffs vs. Maine)

UPDATE #15: Maine wins it at The Rock 34-12. ASU ends its season with a disappointing 8-4 mark, while Maine advances to 9-3 and will travel to Georgia Southern next week.
Special thanks to Skip Sickler for his assistance with photos throughout the season, as well as to ASU Sports Information and Director Mike Flynn for his help all season. Thanks for reading along.


UPDATE #14: Maine gets on the board yet again, as Pushaun Brown busts through the line virtually untouched for a 31-yard touchdown run, capping a short drive. The PAT is good, and Maine leads 34-12 with 9:30 left in the game.


UPDATE #13: ASU shoots itself in the foot after an unsportsmanlike conduct penalty near midfield. Jackson throws an interception to quell the possession. As radio play-by-play commentator for ASU David Jackson has said, "It's just not in the cards today," as Maine takes over on offense with a shade more than 11 minutes to play.


UPDATE #12: ASU forces a Black Bears punt on its ensuing series, but with 13:15 on the game clock, the Mountaineers will have to operate with precision and urgency to further cut into the 27-12 Maine advantage. Slightly more than 15,000 fans are in attendance at today's game, the second-highest total for a postseason home opener at The Rock.


UPDATE #11: Three quarters are in the books, and Maine leads 27-6. The Mountaineers are on the move, however, with the football at the Maine one-yard line. On the opening play of the final quarter, Cadet scores from a yard out, narrowing the game to 27-12. The TD caps a  10-play, 74-yard drive, elapsing 3:22 off the clock.  ASU misses the PAT, however, leaving the team trailing 27-12.


UPDATE #10: Following another Mountaineer punt, Maine strikes again on a one-play, 54-yard drive, a run by David Hood. The PAT is good, and the Black Bears lead 27-6 with 6:12 to play in the third period. Maine continues to show the proverbial "eye of the tiger" this afternoon, looking like the hungrier team thus far. The game is not over yet, but ASU will need its offense to wake up quickly to get back in the game down 21 points.


UPDATE #9: Maine converts a fourth down and a couple plays later scores on an 8-play, 58-yard drive culminating in a 21-yard scoring pass play, upping Maine's advantage to 20-6 with 8:32 to play in the third period. Maine is not intimidated at all this afternoon, and has been giving the Mountaineers a handful throughout the contest.


UPDATE #8: ASU's defense establishes itself on Maine's first drive, forcing a three-and-out punt. 

UPDATE #7: We are at halftime at Kidd Brewer Stadium, and the Mountaineers trail the Black Bears 13-6. A few halftime stats to chew on...ASU has rushed for only five yards in the first half, and has been outgained 261-117 by Maine in total offense. 


UPDATE #6: Maine answers the ASU drive with an 80-yard, 8-play scoring drive, capped by a 35-yard pass connection for a score from Smith to Damarr Aultman. ASU blocks the Maine extra point, as Gordy Witte gets a paw up to get a hand on the ball. Maine now leads 13-6 with 4:51 left in the half.


UPDATE #5: Following a Maine punt, ASU drives for the tying score, a 7-play, 58-yard drive capped by a 20-yard TD pass from QB Jamal Jackson to Andrew Peacock. The PAT was blocked by Maine's Michael Cole, leaving Maine with a 7-6 edge with 9:00 left in the half.

UPDATE #4: End of first period, and ASU trails 7-0. On the first play of the second quarter, the ASU defense forces a turnover  on an interception by Justin Lloyd, the first of his career. ASU football looking to knot the contest, but Maine forces another ASU punt.


UPDATE #3: Maine marches inside the ASU 10-yard line on a 12-play, 79-yard drive,  but the ASU special teams blocks a field goal to keep the game a seven-point margin.


UPDATE #2: ASU gains a first down, but again is stopped by the Black Bears defense and must punt. Midway through the opening period and ASU trails 7-0.


UPDATE #1: ASU gets first crack at the football but has a three-and-out. ASU DB McDuffie is out for today's game due to a university issue.


Maine gets on the scoreboard first with a play-action fake and TD pass from Smith for a 44-yard score. It's Smith's 18th TD pass of the season. A 4-play, 69-yard drive takes only 1:20 off the clock as Aultman hauls in the touchdown pass. Maine leads 7-0 in the early going at The Rock. 

We are LIVE this afternoon at Kidd Brewer Stadium on a gorgeous day for playoff football as the ASU Mountaineers play host to the Maine Bears in the second round of the NCAA FCS football playoffs. Kickoff is slated for 2 p.m.

Both clubs have had a full two weeks to prepare for one another, meaning today's game should be a great match of wit and will. Maine enters today's contest ranked 13th in the latest coaches poll, with ASU ranked at ninth.

Maine finished its regular season with an 8-3 mark, good enough for second place in the Colonial Athletic Association conference. ASU meanwhile, enters today's game with an identical 8-3 record, earning the Mountaineers a tie for second place in the Southern Conference standings.

Maine's spread offense attack has averaged more than 29 points per game this season, and averaged more than 370 yards in total offense per contest. The team allows more than 23 points per game and 348 yards per contest on defense.

Appalachian has won six-straight playoff openers. Ironically, its last loss in a postseason opener came at the hands of Maine, a 14-13 defeat in the first round of what was then known as the NCAA Division I-AA Championship on Nov. 30, 2002 at Kidd Brewer Stadium.

Maine won seven of its first eight games this season, but have dropped two of its last three entering today's matchup, with six of its 11 games decided by 10 points or fewer.

Senior quarterback Warren Smith triggers the Maine attack, as he has amassed 2,643 passing yards and almost 2,900 yards in total offense.

We'll be here at The Rock all afternoon updating the playoff action as time and regulations allow. Thanks for reading.

AJT Sports Live from....Holmes Center (App vs. Milligan)

2:05: e are moments away from today's opening tip between the Buffaloes of Miligan and the Appalachian State Mountaineers on a beautiful Saturday in Boone, N.C. We hope you had a great Thanksgiving and check back for updates from today's game.

First media timeout: The Buffaloes called a timeout seven minutes into the game as App leads 16-13 after Milligan used a 5-0 run to cut the gap from 16-8. Following the next Appalachian poessession, the under 16 media timeout occurs. The Mountaineers are led by Jamal Trice's five points in the opening portion of the ball game, while Kyle Grisby paces Milligan with five points.

Under eight media TO: Issac Butts will continue play at the line for an old fashioned play as his basket put the Mountaineers up 24-23 with 7:41 left. Milligan took the lead on a Grisby 3--pointer as they have outscored App 11-7 to that point.

Half: ASU outscored Milligan 23-8 in the final seven minutes to take a 44-29 lead at the break. The Mountaineers are using their size advantage as they have outrebounded Milligan 30-22, and Isaac Butts has 15 points. In the first half, App has 26 points in the paint. Andre Williamson has added nine points for ASU, while Grisby leads Milligan with nine points.We are moments away from resuming second half action inside the Holmes Center.

First media TO of second half: The Mountaineers have outscored the Buffaloes 6-2 in the first four minutes of the second half to preserve a 50-31 lead.

Under 12 Media TO: The Mountaineers have been unable to extend their lea on Milligan as they hold on to a 56-41 lead with 11:52 remaining.

Final Media TO: With 3:12 remaining, the Mountaineers have pulled away from the Buffaloes as they lead 75-54 at the final media stoppage. Appalachian has pulled away with their size advantage, especially in the paint.

We will update with final stats later this evening. Have a great evening and thanks for reading!

Vols pick off Vanderbilt in OT

By: Matt Laws
Avery Journal-Times

For the Tennessee Vols, it felt like déjà vu all over again. Except this time, they finally caught a break.

The Volunteers dispatched in-state rival Vanderbilt University 27-21 in overtime inside Neyland Stadium on Eric Gordon’s 90-yard interception return that was called back and then ruled a touchdown after an official review.

"At first when they said he was down, I thought he stepped out of bounds,” Head Coach Derek Dooley said. “What they ruled was his knee was down, which is an unchallengeable play. So that's why we didn't challenge it, but they never blew a whistle and they never ruled him down. So if it wasn't down, you could challenge it. So if they had blown a whistle and ruled him down, it wasn't challengeable. And I don't how it got done. I'm just happy we got one."

For the Vols and their fans, the scene after Gordon’s interception was eerily similar to the scene that unfolded in Baton Rouge and Nashville last season after the Vols made plays they thought had won the game. However, this time the luck turned the Vols way.

"I've always told the team you create your own breaks by how you play,” Dooley said. “I think we played in such a manner that you were going to get some breaks with grit, effort and togetherness out there. You can just feel it. You can see it in their eyes. It was just different out there the way they were playing."

The Vols defense opened the game in style as senior Malik Jackson force a Vanderbilt fumble and Rod Wilks recovered the ball. That set up a Tauren Poole touchdown from a yard out to give the Vols an early 7-0 lead.

On the ensuing Vanderbilt possession, quarterback Jordan Rodgers was intercepted by Hickory native and UT senior Austin Johnson. However, the Vols were forced to punt.

After the Commodores missed a field goal early in the second quarter, the Vanderbilt defense intercepted Tyler Bray, who was making his return from a thumb injury, to set up a Z. Stacy touchdown to even the game at 7.

The Tennessee offense struck again in the frame as they embarked on a 10-play 82 yard drive that was capped off by DaRick Rogers catching a 17-yard touchdown pass from Bray to take a 14-7 lead into the half.

The Commodore defense evened the score up midway through the third when A. Barnes intercepted Bray and returned the ball 100 yards for a touchdown. Vanderbilt opened the fourth quarter as they took the first lead of the game when Rodgers hit C. Boyd for a 20-yard touchdown.

The Tennessee offense marched down the field, but saw their drive stall out at the five yard line to attempt a field goal. However, the kick was low and appeared to be blocked, but the Vols benefited from a running into the kicker penalty.

"It wasn't a block, it was a kick-up-the-center's-tail field goal,” Dooley said. “But they ran into them, so we got a break. We weren't dead there yet because there was still time, but it would have been tough. And I couldn't put the field goal team back out there after that. I just wanted to go for it, and if we didn't get it, they would have gotten it at the 2. So that's why I went for it."

That series of events set up a Rodgers two-yard touchdown pass on fourth down to even the game with just over six minutes remaining.

Both teams managed to get drives going, but stalled out in the late going. Vanderbilt was on the edge of field goal range in the closing seconds, but Prentiss Wagner intercepted a Rodgers pass. Tennessee had 20 seconds remaining in regulation, but elected to let the game go into overtime after a screen pass failed to get the first down and some confusion reigned on the Vols sideline.

"Well, we were trying to run a screen play, and we thought we could get a first down,” Dooley said. Tyler, he didn't even know what the play was, so he called something insane in the huddle. We were laughing about it. Our screen play is
called `Soccer Right' and he called `Sucker,' which we don't even have. He just invented a play."


The Volunteers won the toss and elected to go on defense first in the first overtime. After a pair of runs, Gordon stepped in front of a Rodgers pass and raced 90 yard to score, but not after an official review to see if Gordon’s knee was down when he made the interception. Initially, the officials had ruled Gordon was down, but the luck had turned in favor of the Vols.

"You know what? The black cloud over Knoxville blew away, and we got a little sunshine," Dooley said.

During the time that the officials had ruled Gordon down, the Vols were in the endzone celebrating and once the call was made, was stating their case to Dooley to challenge it, which Dooley quickly turned into a learning experience from previous experience.

"Well, they were all trying to tell me what to do, and that's not their job,” Dooley said. “Alright? Instead of worrying about what's coming next, everybody wants me to challenge it, but they don't know it's not a challengeable play. I had to go educate 105 people on the sideline that I can't challenge it, and I probably should have gotten a microphone in the stadium for all the fans who were mad about not challenging it. You've just got to stay calm when stuff like that happens. Focus on your job."

For Tennessee, Bray ended the game 16-of-33 for 189 yards and two touchdowns in his return to the field. However, the sophomore wasn’t pleased with the way he played.

"I played horrible,” Bray said. “I think I completed more passes to the other team than I think I did to ours. Our team stuck in there and our defense played a great game. They have been doing that for the last couple of weeks. If the defense keeps playing like that and the offense steps it up, we are going to win a lot of ball games."

The senior Poole ended the game with 107 yard on 19 carries, while Rogers had 116 yards on 10 catches, which put him at 1,002 yards on the season.

"I don't know if I've ever been prouder of a football team in all my years,” Dooley said. “The adversity these guys have gone through, and what happened last week, I know nobody was expecting us to come out and do much. But we went out there and just gritted out a win and that was fun to watch.”

"But the old Orange Dog did its magic. It was positive all night. We never tucked our tails or put
our head down tonight, and there was a lot of opportunity to."

The victory also sets the stage for a bowl game if the Vols can beat Kentucky in Lexington on Saturday.

"Yeah, we've got one more,” Dooley said. “We can't get too excited. We're not there yet, but we got off the slide today, thank God. We've got a chance to do something I think a lot of people thought we weren't going to do. But we've got to go do it. Kentucky's a good football team. They had a chance to beat Georgia today, so it's going to be a good challenge."

Tennessee looks to continue the positive attitude they carried into Neyland on Saturday as they head to Lexington for a 12:21 kickoff.

AJ-T Sports LIVE FROM... KIDD BREWER STADIUM (ASU vs. Western Carolina)

Up

Update #17: ASU wins its regular-season home finale by the score of 46-14.

Update #16: A 54-yard touchdown pass down the seam caps a short two-play, 66-yard scoring drive. ASU leads 46-14 with 3:23 left in the game.

Update #15: It has been a dominating performance by the Mountaineers, bouncing back from last week's loss at Furman. ASU's reserves have driven downfield and scored again, this time on a nine-play, 58-yard drive. Former West Wilkes quarterback Logan Hallock recovers a fumble in the end zone for the touchdown.

With 3:58 left to play, ASU holds a 46-7 lead. ASU will claim the Old Mountain Jug, move to 7-3 for the season and travel to Elon next Saturday afternoon to close out the regular season.

Update #14: WCU breaks onto the scoreboard with 9:44 to play on a 32-yard touchdown pass from Brandon Pechloff to George Richardson. The PAT cuts the lead to 39-7.

Update #13: ASU and Western played before a capacity crowd of 30,622 fans, the fourth largest attendance in Kidd Brewer Stadium history and 40th consecutive contest that the attendance is over capacity. With many fans headed for the exits, perhaps the only drama remaining is whether the Mountaineers defense can pitch the shutout.

Update #12: The Mountaineers are again driving as the third period closes. Another march to the red zone against a tiring Western defense could make for a difficult final 15 minutes for the Catamounts. A penalty pushes ASU to the WCU seven-yard line, where Stewart again converts a field goal, a 24-yarder, to extend the ASU lead to 39-0. The drive takes 5:26 to march 69 yards over 10 plays.

With 12:36 left in the game, ASU running back Steven Miller has as many rushing yards (76) as WCU has in total offense.

Update #11: ASU has a touchdown run called back by a holding penalty, and the Mountaineers are forced to settle for a fifth field goal by Stewart, a 27-yard field goal, to give ASU a 36-0 lead. The fifth field goal sets a new school record by the ASU placekicker, once held by Jay Millson  (1991) and Nittmo (most recently in 1988). The nine-play, 58-yard drive elapsed 3:41 off the clock.

Stewart accounts now for 18 points in the game, also eclipsing the old mark of 15, set twice previously by Nittmo.

Update #10: With the opening drive of the second half, ASU strikes again, this time on a TD recpetion from Jackson to Quick to cap a five-play, 55-yard scoring drive. The reception puts Quick at 101 yards for the game, his sixth 100-yard game of the season and 12th of his career, as the Mountaineers now lead 33-0 with 12:56 left in the third quarter.

ASU currently has 349 yards in total offense, compared to only 30 yards for WCU.
Update #9: WCU's first pass from its backup quarterback after ASU's touchdown is picked off and returned more than 20 yards by Dominique McDuffie. ASU's offense is again in business inside the WCU 20-yard line.

Jamal Jackson finishes the drive with a 12-yard scramble into the end zone with seven seconds left in the half. Three plays, 33 yards and 20 seconds change the score for the Mountaineers, as ASU holds a commanding 26-0 lead into the locker room at halftime..

Update #8: The Mountaineer offense gets in gear following WCU's latest punt, marching 59 yards. This time the Mountaineers cash in with a touchdown on a two-yard tote by Jamal Jackson. The drive elapses six plays and 59 yards. The two-yard touchdown and extra point pushes ASU ahead 19-0 with 54 seconds to play in the half.

ASU holds a decisive 262-30 advantage in total yards for the half, illustrating the Mountaineers' strong first-half effort.

Update #7: ASU forces a WCU turnover as a pass is intercepted by Rodger Walker and returned 24 yards. It's Walker's fourth pick of the season and ASU sets up shop in Western territory.

Jackson returns at quarterback for ASU and has led the Mountaineers back into the WCU red zone. ASU gets as close as the WCU five-yard line, but is again forced to settle for a field goal, a 22-yard boot to stake the Mountaineers a 12-0 lead. The drive took 10 plays and moved 35 yards, elapsing 4:19 off the second period clock. Slightly more than four minutes remain in the half, and ASU holds a 12-0 advantage.

The field goal ties an ASU record with four field goals in a game, tying a mark that has been accomplished four other times, including three by Bjorn Nittmo. A huge sack by ASU's Demetrius McCray shook up the WCU quarterback, who was helped off the field.

Update #6: For the third time in the first half, ASU must settle for three points, this time on a 29-yard field goal from Stewart. The drive was 11 plays and consumed 68 yards while elapsing 5:10 off the clock. With 9:37 to play before halftime, ASU now leads 9-0 over Western.

Update #5: As suspected, Presley enters the game at quarterback following a WCU punt.

A Brian Quick completion of 33 yards on ASU's next drive from Presley, makes Quick the leading yardage receiver in ASU history with 3,149 yards, breaking a 31-year-old school record.

Update #4: ASU's defense has held Western in check for the balance of the opening period, but with the Mountaineers offense stalling inside the 20-yard line on two occasions, as well as a punt, a quarterback change might be imminent as DeAndre Presley is throwing on the Mountaineer sideline.
With ASU's defense on the field, it will be interesting to see if Coach Jerry Moore pulls the trigger and makes the quarterback change.

At the end of the period, WCU has amassed only 32 yards as ASU leads 6-0.

Update #3: For the second straight possession, ASU drives the football into the WCU red zone and cannot come away with a touchdown, settling for a 32-yard Stewart field goal, spotting ASU a 6-0 lead with 7:26 left in the opening quarter. The drive encompassed 12 plays, 63 yards and elapsed 3:08 off the first quarter clock.

Update #2: Following an WCU three-and-out to start the game, ASU marches 25 yards over six plays. Drew Stewart boots a career-long 44-yard field goal to give the Mountaineers a 3-0 advantage with 11:52 left in the first quarter. The field goal is ASU's fifth successful try in six attempts from outside 40 yards this season.

Update #1: Ready for kickoff from Kidd Brewer Stadium. A 55-degree afternoon at time of kickoff and clear skies equal a near-perfect day for gridiron action.

ASU says goodbye to its seniors on this sunny Saturday afternoon as the Mountaineers play host to Western Carolina.

The Mountaineers have won 24 of the past 26 games against the Catamounts and looks to maintain possession of The Old Mountain Jug in this rivalry contest.

ASU's hopes for a seventh straight SoCon championship were severely hampered by a loss at Furman last week. However, with help, the Mountaineers maintain a slim chance of sharing a conference championship with Georgia Southern and Wofford.

Western is 1-8 thus far this season, with ASU standing at 6-3 overall. We'll be providing updates throughout this afternoon's contest of the action from Kidd Brewer Stadium. Thanks for reading!

AJ-T Sports LIVE FROM... KIDD BREWER STADIUM (ASU vs. Western Carolina)))

ASU says goodbye to its seniors on this sunny Saturday afternoon as the Mountaineers play host to Western Carolina. The Mountaineers have won 24 of the past 26 games against the Catamounts and looks to maintain possession of The Old Mountain Jug in this rivalry contest.

ASU's hopes for a seventh straight SoCon championship were severely hampered by a loss at Furman last week. However, with help, the Mountaineers maintain a slim chance of sharing a conference championship with Georgia Southern and Wofford.

Western is 1-8 thus far this season, with ASU standing at 6-3 overall. We'll be providing updates throughout this afternoon's contest of the action from Kidd Brewer Stadium. Thanks for reading!