BOONE, N.C. - Appalachian State University women's basketball looks to knock off No. 1 seed Little Rock on Thursday in Lakefront Arena at 12:30 p.m (ET) in the No. 1 vs. No. 8 matchup.
About the Mountaineers
Last Time Out
Appalachian eliminated Arkansas State in the first round on Thursday, 79-68. Four players scored in double figures with
LaPresha Stanley pouring in a career-high 27 points for her fourth 20-point game of the year and in back-to-back contests.
Bayley Plummer had a monster performance with 18 points, 19 rebounds, five blocks, four assists and three steals. The sophomore center turned in her second game of the season with at least 15 points and 15 rebounds.
Tierra Wilson hit three timely trifectas and scored 10 of her 16 points in the fourth quarter, while
Nicola Mathews dropped 12 points and a game-high six assists. Appalachian went on a 19-7 run while trailing by two in the final 6:51 to pull away for the victory.Â
What to Watch For
• In the two matchups,  LR averaged 22 points in the opening frame and outscored App by an average of 15 points. In the next three quarters, App held LR to 34.5 through both games combined and was outscored by just eight points. See if the Black and Gold can get off to a better start.
• App State is averaging 21.5 offensive rebounds over the past two games including 20 boards off the glass for 17 second-chance points in the first round against Arkansas State. Watch if App can get second-chance opportunities on Thursday.
• The Black and Gold tied a season-high in free throw makes with 21 while shooting 80.8 percent from the charity stripe. See if the Black and Gold can get to the line once again against LR.
• App State assisted on 15 of 27 field goals (55.5 percent) against the Red Wolves on Thursday that led to the four players scoring in double figures. See if the Black and Gold can continue to move the ball on offense.
• Stanley continues her tear after dropping a career-high 27 points for her second straight 20-point game. Watch if Stanley can continue her stellar play.
• Appalachian is looking for its first semifinal trip in a conference tournament since the 2012-13 season when the Mountaineers were in the SoCon.Â
Scouting Little Rock
• LR ended the season as the top seed after earning a 17-1 mark and a second straight regular-season title.
• The Trojans pride themselves on sound defense, as they held opponents to just 47.7 points per game on 35 percent shooting
• LR also led the conference shooting 45.6 percent.
• Ronjanae DeGray leads the team in scoring (13.9 ppg) and rebounding (5.9 rpg).
• Monique Townson, who was nominated for Defensive Player of the  Year, leads the team in assists.
• Freshman Tori Lasker has hit over half of the Trojans' 3-pointers with 47.
• LR plays at the slowest pace in the league at 64.5 but is fourth in points per possession at .917.
Series History
• Appalachian has yet to beat Little Rock in the all-time series
• The Mountaineers and Trojans are playing the No. 1 vs. No. 8 matchup for the second straight season
• In three of four seasons, Appalachian has played the top seed in the tournament with all three matchups being either LR or Arkansas State.
What's Next
• App State will play the winner of Troy and South Alabama in the semifinal round on Saturday at 6 p.m.Â
