Men’s Basketball Dominates Second Half to Defeat Louisiana 72-58

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After shooting just 38.5 percent from the field in the first half, the App State men’s basketball team (12-9, 5-4 SBC) caught fire in the second half, shooting 68.2 percent from the field and 69.2 percent from three-point range to defeat Louisiana 72-58 on Thursday. The Mountaineers outscored the Ragin’ Cajuns (5-16, 3-6 SBC) by 13 points in the final half.

Tot’s Historic Performance

Graduate guard Jalen Tot played the starring role in App State’s explosive second half, scoring 21 points on six 3-pointers—the most by a Mountaineer in a game this season. Tot struggled early, going 0-6 from the field in the first half, but stayed confident and caught fire after halftime.

Defensive Dominance

App State’s defense held Louisiana below 60 points for the eighth time this season and limited the Ragin’ Cajuns to 37.9 percent shooting from the field, marking the Mountaineers’ ninth game holding an opponent below 40 percent.

The Mountaineers dominated the glass, winning the rebounding battle by 15 while posting their seventh consecutive game with at least 10 offensive rebounds. App State held a 22-12 rebounding advantage at halftime, marking the fourth time this season they’ve outrebounded an opponent by 15 or more.

How It Happened

Louisiana scored first, and both teams struggled offensively in the early going. App State started just 1-11 from the field through the first eight minutes, allowing Louisiana to build a seven-point lead.

The Mountaineers responded with an 8-2 run to cut the deficit to one at the halfway point of the first half. Alonzo Dodd tied the game at 18 with a step-back three, and Kasen Jennings gave App State its first lead with two free throws at 6:31.

Louisiana scored eight of the next 11 points for a three-point lead, but Jennings answered with a corner three and Dodd added two free throws. Luke Wilson capped the half with a dunk off a Dodd assist to give the Mountaineers a one-point halftime lead.

Second-Half Explosion

Michael Marcus Jr. and Tot opened the second half with back-to-back 3-pointers for a five-point lead. Louisiana tied the score at 39, but Marcus Jr. hit his third three for the lead.

The Ragin’ Cajuns scored six of the next eight points to reclaim the lead, but Jennings and Tot’s four-point play sparked a six-point App State advantage. Tot’s third three forced a Louisiana timeout, and Wilson followed with a thunderous putback dunk to extend the lead to eight.

Tot drilled another three to push the lead to double digits at 5:43. After a Louisiana jumper, Tot beat the shot clock with a long left-wing three—his fifth of the game—for a 12-point advantage.

Tot’s sixth three, followed by another Wilson putback dunk, gave App State a 15-point lead at the final media timeout. Jennings’ 17th and final point pushed the advantage to 18, effectively sealing the victory.

Top Performers

Tot finished with a game- and season-high 21 points, becoming the fifth Mountaineer to record a 20-point game this season. His six 3-pointers tied for the fourth-most by a Sun Belt player this season. Jennings overcame a slow start (missing his first four shots) to hit his final six field goal attempts, finishing with 17 points on 60 percent shooting—his fifth straight double-digit game. Marcus Jr. added 13 points while missing just one shot, including a perfect 3-3 from three-point range.

Dodd matched his career high with 10 assists.

Up Next

App State hosts ULM on Friday at noon at the Holmes Center. Due to forecasted winter weather and schedule changes, admission is free. The game will be broadcast on ESPN+.