BOONE, N.C. (Interstat) — The Appalachian State Mountaineers, riding a surge in Sun Belt Conference play, will look to extend their winning streak when they host the struggling Eastern Michigan Eagles in a nonconference men’s basketball matchup Saturday at Holmes Center.

Appalachian State (16-9) has won five of its last six games, including a 65-57 victory over South Alabama on Wednesday. The Mountaineers have been anchored by guard Jalen Tot, who is coming off a 23-point performance in 38 minutes. Tot has averaged 16.1 points over his last seven contests, providing consistent scoring for a defense that has held four of its last six opponents under 60 points.

Eastern Michigan (9-13) arrives in the midst of a difficult stretch, having lost six of its last seven games. The Eagles fell 66-64 to Akron on Tuesday, their fourth loss by three points or fewer during that skid. Guard Addison Patterson has been a bright spot, averaging 14.9 points over the last seven games. He scored 16 points in the narrow loss to Akron.

The teams are trending in opposite directions. Appalachian State’s recent success is built on defensive tenacity, while Eastern Michigan has repeatedly come up just short in tight finishes. The Mountaineers have lost only once at home since mid-December, boasting a 10-2 record in Boone this season.

For Eastern Michigan to snap its slump, it will need Patterson and fellow backcourt contributors to crack Appalachian State’s defensive pressure and find scoring support beyond their top options. The Mountaineers will aim to control the tempo and leverage their home-court advantage, where they are allowing just 62.8 points per game.

This contest marks the final scheduled nonconference game for both programs this season before they return to league play next week. Appalachian State visits Georgia Southern on Wednesday, while Eastern Michigan travels to Kent State.