App State men’s basketball traveled to Norfolk, Virginia for their fifth ever New Year’s Eve game Wednesday, challenging the Old Dominion University Monarchs. The Mountaineers started off their new year celebration with a 81-73 win.

The Mountaineers started off the game with pure execution, losing the tipoff but gaining a steal and later a layup from senior guard Alonzo Dodd. 

After a failed rebound attempt, junior guard Eren Banks was able to reclaim the ball which left graduate student guard Kasen Jennings wide open for his first 3-pointer of the game, setting the score at 7-2 with under 17 minutes to go in the first half. 

App State continued the momentum leading 15-7 with less than 13 minutes left. Jennings hit his consistent shot inside the paint securing not only a basket but a steal on the following possession. 

Redshirt sophomore center Luke Wilson set the tone for the Black and Gold with a swift pass from Dodd getting him to the rim with a double hand dunk. 

Graduate student guard Jalen Tot saw some of his first minutes of the game with strong defense and a shot from way beyond the arc, his first 3-pointer in the past 3 games. The scoreboard shined 30-17 with just over four minutes to go. 

Tot made his third 3-pointer in a row, causing him to shoot 100% from beyond the arc. His momentum put the team up 37-18 with just one minute until halftime. 

The first half drew its curtains with App State going into the locker room leading 37-19. Tot paced the team with 9 points while Jennings and Wilson both had 7. The Mountaineers had a major difference with a 50% field goal percentage compared to the Monarchs 26%.

The second half began with nearly back-to-back turnovers which tilted success and seemed to throw the Mountaineers off their game. The Black and Gold still had a cushion at 44-28 with under 16 minutes to go. 

App State struggled from behind the arc, but was able to maintain shots at the rim with quickness even against the Monarch’s full-court pressure.

With just under 10 minutes left, App State still remained ahead with a score of 51-37. A steal from sophomore forward Michael Marcus Jr. gave him his 10th point of the afternoon. App State went on a 6-0 tear in just under two minutes, gaining the advantage to 20 at 57-37. 

A corner 3-pointer by Tot gave him 14 points with six minutes remaining. Marcus drew the and-one with five minutes left putting App State up by 20.

The afternoon ended with a score of 81-73. Marcus led the team offensively and defensively with 20 points and 10 rebounds, four of those on offense. Tot, Dodd, Jennings and Wilson also made major contributions to the game with 10 points or more. 

App State will stay on the road to play the Marshall University Thundering Herd on Saturday in Huntington, West Virginia. This game will be live streamed on ESPN+.