BOONE, N.C.- Appalachian State University women's basketball (6-17, 5-9) trailed the entire game and was unable to come back from a 15 point halftime deficit, as Elon University (3-22, 1-15) picked up its first SoCon win of the season, defeating the Apps 73-55.
The Mountaineers had a slow start Monday evening at the Holmes Center and never quite recovered as the Phoenix jumped out to a 15-5 lead before ASU was able to get its offense going eight minutes into play. Senior Brittany Mixon led Appalachian's charge scoring eight buckets over the course of four minutes of action to cut the Apps deficit to three points.
Mixon finished the game with 15 points and 13 rebounds, recording her fifth double-double of the season, and making it the 16th time in 23 games she has posted double-figure scoring this season. She also had five blocks against the Phoenix, just one away from her career-high of six.
Three would be the smallest advantage for Elon, as the Phoenix closed out the first half of play on a 14-2 run with Amber Wall and Julie Taylor pacing the Phoenix, combining for 10 of their points to put Appalachian down 36-21 at the break.
Wall was one of three Phoenix in double-figure scoring, having 14 points, while Urysla Cotten paced Elon with 17.
Canesha Edwards and Catherine Williams posted strong second half performances for Appalachian, but a little over three minute scoring drought, coupled by a Phoenix 8-0 run put the game out of reach for the Black and Gold, as Elon picked up the win.
Edwards finished the evening with 13 points and seven boards while Williams recorded a career-high 17 points to go along with seven rebounds, two assists, one block and one steal.
Along with an early surge by Elon, poor shooting also hindered ASU, hitting just 39.1 percent of their shots to go along with going 0-10 from behind the arc. It was the first time Appalachian had not hit a three pointer since December 8 at Wichita State and just the second time all season. It was also the first time since the Alabama A & M game on November 24, 2008 that an opponent didn't score a three.
ASU looks to bounce back from a dissapointing loss, as the Mountaineers continue their homestand, taking on Wofford, Wednesday February 11 at 7 p.m.
