BOONE, N.C. - Coming off the first Sun Belt win of the season, Appalachian State University women's basketball (3-12, 1-3 SBC) looks to continue that momentum on Thursday when it hosts Georgia State (4-11, 0-4 SBC) at 5 p.m. in the Holmes Center.
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PROMOTIONS
On Thursday against Georgia State, App State has partnered with the Hunger and Health Coalition to collect food items. When the gates open at 4 p.m. fans can bring any three non-perishable foods to the gates at Holmes Center. Any store-bought, non-expired goods will be accepted, but there is a special need for
peanut butter, oatmeal/rolled oats, dry beans, rice, pastas, breakfast cereals, jelly, tuna, spaghetti sauce and all canned fruits and vegetables. Fans that supply three items will be given one free ticket to be used at that game. Only one ticket will be given per group.
About the Mountaineers
Last Time Out
App State defeated UL Monroe in a 71-67 triumph for its first Sun Belt win of the season on Saturday. The Mountaineers canned a school record 15 3-pointers while holding off a late Warhawk surge. App shot a season-high 85.7 percent (12-for-14) from the free throw line including an 8-for-8 stretch over the final 39 seconds of the game to seal the win.
Tierra Wilson poured in a career-high 27 points highlighted by a school-tying seven 3-pointers. It was the most points on the road for a freshman since Ashlen Dewart scored 34 against Bowling Green in the 2009-10 season.
Nicola Mathews matched her season high with 17 points on a season-best five trifectas. The sophomore shot a staggering 70 percent from 3-point range over the weekend and 71.4 percent from the field.
Lainey Gosnell chipped in with 11 points off the bench ( eight in the third quarter) and three treys.
Bayley Plummer didn't score as she's capable of doing but registered her fifth game of the season with at least 15 rebounds, corralling a game-high 16 off the glass.
What to Watch For
• The Mountaineers scored 70 or more points for just the second time this season with a season-high 1.023 points per possession against ULM on Saturday. Georgia State is 11th in the Sun Belt in points allowed per game (74.9 ppg) and defensive points per possession (1.002). See if the offense can keep it going on Thursday.
• Appalachian is averaging 16 offensive rebounds per game in the past three contests, while Georgia State is allowing 16.4 offensive rebounds per game. See if the Mountaineers can come up with second-chance opportunities on Thursday.
• App State is shooting 75.5 percent during conference play including a 12-for-14 (85.7 percent) performance against UL Monroe with eight of those free throws coming in the last 39 seconds. Expect the Apps to continue the upward trend with their free throws.
• Georgia State records 9.6 steals per game this season. Opponents are averaging 8.7 swipes per game against Appalachian this season. See if App can protect the ball on Thursday.
• Wilson and
Mathews were at their best shooting the ball going a combined 15-for-26 from the field and 12-for-20 from 3-point range in the win over ULM. In three wins, the tandem is shooting 53.1 percent (25-for-47) from beyond the arc and 48.4 percent (31-for-64). See if Wilson and Mathews can keep it going on Thursday.
Scouting Georgia State
• The Panthers are currently on a five-game skid and have yet to win a road game with a 0-7 mark.
• GSU is coming off a 75-58 defeat to Arkansas State on Saturday.
• Kierra Henry has been the top scorer for GSU averaging 15.3 ppg, which is fifth in the Sun Belt.
• Shay Fluker leads the team in rebounding at six per game, while Henry also leads the way in assists at 4.1 per contest
• The Panthers have been one of the best rebounding teams on the offensive end, as they are fourth in the conference averaging 13.4 rebounds per game
• GSU's pace is the fourth fastest at 70.6.
• The Panthers are second in the conference shooting 75.4 percent from the charity stripe.
• GSU also poses a problem on defense averaging 9.6 steals per games, which is third in the Sun Belt.
Series History
• Georgia State owns a 5-4 edge in the all-time series.
• The road team has won the past four matchups in the series.
• App State has yet to beat GSU in the Holmes Center with an 0-3 mark.
• The last four meetings have been decided by five points or less.
• App is 2-1 over the last three games against GSU.
What's Next
Appalachian will host its archrival Georgia Southern for Black Saturday. Fans are encouraged to wear black while the Apps will don their black jerseys. Tip is at 1 pm.
