It’s no secret that there’s no love lost between Georgia Southern and Appalachian State on the football field.

Sometimes, a rivalry transcends other sports, too. And basketball is no exception.

Never was that more evident than a 73-62 win by Georgia Southern over the Mountaineers at Hanner Fieldhouse on Dec. 3, 2011, the last time the teams met.

That game came a month after the GSU football team’s first loss of the season, which happened to be at ASU.

"There was a lot of energy in the building last year when we played them. No question that carries over," GSU basketball coach Charlton Young said. "But it carries over from a basketball standpoint, too, from when I played in the Southern Conference."

Young and the Eagles (8-11, 2-4 SoCon) have had plenty of success against ASU (7-10, 3-3) in Hanner. Since Young took over the program in 2009, GSU is 2-0 against the Mountaineers at home. Young was also 3-0 against the Mountaineers as a player at Georgia Southern.

Thursday, ASU hosts the Eagles at 7 p.m., and the matchup has been a different story away from Statesboro. During the 2010-11 season, GSU lost twice to Appalachian State, once in Boone, N.C., and once in Chattanooga, Tenn., in the SoCon tournament.

Still, after Georgia Southern’s surprising loss to The Citadel on Saturday, Young feels like this is a timely road trip.

"I like being on the road because we can focus," Young said. "We feel like when we’re on the road we can be really locked in."

Much of ASU’s recent success has come from its marquee players — namely guard Donald Sims and center Isaac Butts – but this season’s edition of the Mountaineers has five players averaging double-figure scoring. Only three are starters. All five shoot above 40 percent from the floor.

"They can shoot the ball," Young said. "The 3-point line is one of the main issues (for our defense). Their (forward) is like a Southern Conference version of Dirk Nowitzki. He’s a senior who’s really playing well. Everybody shoots the ball."

Forward Nathan Healey, the 6-foot-7 starter who averages seven rebounds and almost 15 points per game, and 6-foot-6 guard/forward Jay Canty, who scores nearly 16 per game, lead the scoring for the Mountaineers. Healey and guard Tab Hamilton both shoot 40-plus percent from behind the 3-point line.

Appalachian had an awful start to the season, losing its first seven Division-I games, but won six of the next seven.

The Mountaineers are coming off SoCon losses to Chattanooga and Samford.

The Eagles have a similar record but got there in a very different way. The Eagles have won no more than two consecutive games and lost no more than three in a row this season.

The Eagles will continue their road trip on Saturday against Western Carolina at 2 p.m., in Cullowhee, N.C.