App State opened its 2026-27 season with a 74-62 road win over Eastern Michigan, rebounding from a second-quarter scoring drought with a strong third quarter and a defense-first finish. Joi Williams led four Mountaineers in double figures, while App State held the Eagles without a field goal in the final three minutes.

By the Numbers
  • App State won, 74-62.
  • Joi Williams: 14 points, 6 assists and 2 steals.
  • Four Mountaineers scored at least 10 points.
  • App State shot nearly 50% from the field and made 9 of 20 3-pointers; Eastern Michigan shot 35% from the field and from 3-point range.
  • App State held Eastern Michigan to 3-for-15 shooting in the fourth quarter.
Yes, But

The Mountaineers won comfortably, but their lead was in danger after Eastern Michigan answered a fast start with a 20-2 run. App State made just 1 of its final 12 first-half shots and went scoreless from the field over the final four minutes, making its late defensive stops decisive.

State of Play
  • App State is 1-0; Eastern Michigan is 0-1.
  • The Mountaineers built a 23-12 first-quarter lead, trailed by 3 at halftime, then took control with a 25-point third quarter.
  • App State forced 8 turnovers in the fourth quarter, including 5 in the final 6 minutes.
What’s Next

App State hosts Montreat College on Wednesday at 5 p.m. to open its home schedule. The game streams on ESPN+ and precedes the men’s team’s 7 p.m. matchup with Christendom.

Bottom Line

App State showed both its vulnerability and its potential in the opener: a second-quarter collapse nearly erased an early lead, but a sharp third-quarter response and late defensive pressure secured the win.