WILMINGTON, N.C. — In an exciting matchup on Wednesday night, Dior Conners was instrumental for Appalachian State, contributing 19 points as they secured a narrow 66-63 victory over Sam Houston.

Conners showcased his scoring ability, shooting 4 of 9 overall, hitting 2 of 5 from beyond the arc, and converting 9 of 10 free throws for the Mountaineers, who now hold a record of 4-2. Myles Tate also had a significant impact, scoring 17 points, while shooting 6 of 14 from the field, which included 3 of 6 from 3-point territory, along with 2 of 4 at the free-throw line. Additionally, Jackson Threadgill contributed 11 points, going 4 for 11 overall, and 1 of 3 from three-point range.

On the other side, Lamar Wilkerson shined for the Bearkats (3-3), leading his team with 22 points. Supporting him were Marcus Boykin, who tallied 11 points along with five assists and four steals, and Dorian Finister, who added 10 points and secured seven rebounds.

Threadgill made his mark in the first half, scoring nine points, allowing Appalachian State to enter halftime close at 33-30. The second half saw Tate emerge as the leading scorer for the Mountaineers, contributing 10 points, which helped propel the team to victory in the final minutes of the game.