CULLOWHEE, N.C.-  Appalachian State University women's basketball (6-16, 5-8) was unable to rally a comeback after falling behind Saturday afternoon at the Ramsey Center as the Mountaineers fell to SoCon rival Western Carolina (12-11, 8-6) 75-50. The loss was Appalachian's first conference loss since January 19, snapping a three game SoCon winning streak.

A 22-7 run at the 13 minute mark of the first half of play along with 28 points in the paint doomed the Black and Gold as the Catamounts were able to get their offense clicking, with Brooke Johnson scoring seven points for WCU draining two jumpers and nailing a three. Johnson finished the game as WCU's leading scorer, with 12 points.

For Appalachian Brittney Spencer and Brittany Mixon tried to get Appalachian's offense going with Spencer scoring four points and Mixon two, but it couldn't match Western's surge and the Apps took a 46-23 deficit into the half.

Spencer and Mixon were both the lone Mountaineers to finish the contest in double-figure scoring, as Spencer was the leading scorer with 13 points to go along with five boards, three assists and one steal. Mixon posted 12 points, a team-high eight boards and was one just one shy of her career-high in blocks with five. It was the 15th game this season the senior posted double figure scoring.

The two teams traded buckets over the course of the opening minutes of the second half, with Sam Ramirez started the scoring, nailing a jumper to cut Appalachian's deficit to 21. Ramirez had eight points, with five boards and two assists.

Despite solid play, and a late run, with Karina Mill, Spencer and Charmene Means all chipping in points, ASU could not get over the 20 point hump, and Western Carolina came away with the win.

The Apps look to get back into the winning column, as they head back to the High Country to take on Elon, Monday February 9 at 7 p.m. in the Holmes Center