CHARLESTON, S.C.- Appalachian State University women's basketball (7-20, 6-12) had a two point lead with 29.6 seconds to go as Catherine Williams hit a layup off a missed Brittney Spencer jumper to put the Apps up 55-53, but Jade Hughes came down the court and drilled her second three pointer of the night and the College of Charleston (20-7, 13-6) came away with the heartbreaking 57-55 win.

Sophomore guard Sam Ramirez proved to be ASU's offensive strength down the stretch, as she scored eight of Appalachian's final 12 points. Her jumper knotted the contest at 53 apiece with a little over one minute remaining. She finished the evening with a game high 19 points, nine assists and two steals, 15 of the points coming in the second half.

Brittany Mixon was impressive as well for the Black and Gold, as the lone senior scored nine of Appalachian's first 13 points in the contest. She finished the game in double figures for the 19th time this season with 16 points, seven boards and four blocks.

The game was hotly contested for much of the first half as Appalachian kept pace with Charleston and were up on the Cougars by as many as four points but a seven minute field goal drought proved to be costly as CofC went on a 12-1 run to go up by as many as 16 points.

Karina Mill hit a top of the key jumper, and snapped ASU's little over seven minute scoring drought to put the Mountaineers down 27-16 with a little less than 3 minutes to play in the first. The Canada native continued with her strong play as she got her second bucket of the night and  Ramirez got in on the scoring action as well as the sophomore guard forced a steal and hit the ensuing lay up to put the Apps down 32-20 at the break.

Appalachian came out strong in the second half, going on an early 7-2 streak off of five Ramirez points, including  Appalachian's first trey of the game to cut CofC's advantage to 34-27 with 15:30 to play.

The final minutes of play were intense, as ASU would battle back from being down by as many as 11 points, and take a two point lead, before Hughes nailed the game-winning three to give the Cougars the win.

Missed free throws proved to be the Mountaineers achilles heel as the Apps went just 2-9 from the charity stripe and missed three key free throws down the stretch.

Three Apps finished the contest in double figures, while Sarah Moye and Deidra Jones paced the Cougars with 11 points apiece.

ASU looks to bounce back from a tough loss, as they head to Greensboro, N.C. to take on UNCG, Monday February 23 at 7 p.m.