Unexpected loss
Appalachian State rolled into last night’s game against winless UNC Greensboro in pretty good shape. They left not so sure.
The Mountaineers had won three straight Southern Conference games, but had a 13-point lead slip away as the Spartans notched their first victory in 16 games this season.
“We have to handle success,” Coach Jason Capel of the Mountaineers said. “To be able to win three (straight) games you have to want that fourth one, especially on your home floor against a team that you know is going to play hard. You have to defend your home court in this league. I’m very disappointed.”
The Mountaineers will move on to face Western Carolina on the road Saturday, before returning home to play Elon on Monday. Capel said that his team, 7-8 overall and 3-2 in the SoCon, needs to feel a sense of urgency.
“We’ve faced this situation before,” Capel said. “I thought we came out the same way (in the league opener) against Chattanooga. We had a lead but came out in the second half and didn’t do what you’re supposed to do. They beat us. We had one day to prepare for Samford. We got it together and won.
“Seasons are going to be peaks and valleys…but at some point you have to be consistent. At some point it has to mean so much to you that you’re not going to let your teammate down and let yourself down.
“I’m personally going to learn from this. I’m going to get better, we’re going to get better as a staff, we’re going to get better as a team. It’s a collective effort. We win together, we lose together. I take full credit for this loss. I’ll get better and the team will get better and we’ll work hard and get ready for Western Carolina.”
NOTES: The Mountaineers are as close to healthy as they’ve been, but were without forward Anthony Breeze last night. He is out with the flu and his status isn’t certain for Saturday’s game at WCU. Guard Marcus Wright is nearly recovered from an ankle injury, and played for the first time in six games last night. Anthony Thomas, a reserve guard, has resumed practice following a suspension.