BOONE, N.C. — App State used a decisive 17–3 run during the middle of the second half to break open a tie game and went on to defeat Coastal Carolina 67–49 Thursday night at the Holmes Convocation Center in the Sun Belt Conference opener for both teams.

The teams were locked at 28–28 at halftime after a competitive opening half that featured nine ties and multiple lead changes. Coastal Carolina (6-6, 0-1) briefly took a two-point lead early in the second half before App State's (8-5, 1-0) extended surge shifted the momentum.

The Mountaineers outscored the Chanticleers 39–21 after the break, shooting 50 percent from the field in the second half while knocking down six 3-pointers. App State's run created a double-digit cushion it maintained the rest of the way.

Coastal Carolina finished the game shooting 30 percent from the field and 17 percent from beyond the arc, scoring 49 points after a 28-point first half.

App State pushed its lead to as many as 18 in the closing minutes to secure the win. Alonzo Dodd led all scorers with 21 points and Kasen Jennings poured in 19.

Rasheed Jones led the Chanticleers with 13 points and Reggie Hill scored 11. 

Coastal Carolina continues its road trip Saturday at Old Dominion. Tip-off is slated for 2 p.m. at Chartway Arena in Norfolk, Va.