In a decisive victory, Appalachian State topped James Madison with a score of 86-66 on Saturday, thanks in large part to the stellar performances of CJ Huntley and Myles Tate, who each contributed 21 points.

Huntley also secured eight rebounds for the Mountaineers, who improved their record to 9-7 overall and 3-2 in the Sun Belt Conference. Tate showcased his versatility by shooting 6 out of 13 from the field, including a 1 for 3 performance from beyond the arc, and he impressively converted all eight of his free-throw attempts. In addition to his scoring, Tate delivered seven rebounds, seven assists, and three steals. Jalil Beaubrun also played a key role, adding 16 points with a shooting line of 5 for 12 from the field and 5 for 8 from the charity stripe.

On the other side, Elijah Hutchins-Everett was the standout for the Dukes, leading his team with 19 points, complemented by nine rebounds and two blocks. AJ Smith contributed 13 points along with seven rebounds for James Madison, while Mark Freeman rounded out the scoring with 10 points.

Looking ahead, both teams are set to continue their seasons on Thursday. Appalachian State will head to Old Dominion, while James Madison will be facing Marshall at home.