BOONE, N.C.- A second-half surge lifted Appalachian State University women's basketball over Elon Saturday afternoon at the Holmes Center, as the Apps downed their league foe, winning 85-66. With the win, the Mountaineers improve to an even 6-6 on the season and 2-2 in the SoCon, while the Phoenix drop to 5-8 overall and 1-4 in conference action.
The outcome appeared to be grim, as the Black and Gold headed into halftime down by 14 points after Elon closed out first half action on a 13-4 run. The Apps were struggling, shooting just 32 percent from the field and a dismal ten percent from behind the arc in the opening 20 minutes.
Appalachian however, would not go away quietly and came storming back in the second period.
After Urysla Cotten hit a layup to open up the second half, the Mountaineers responded, going on an 18-0 streak, that Elon could not answer. Chakeitha Weldon paced ASU's vicious offensive assault, as the Atlanta, Ga. native scored eight points during the Apps run. Anna Freeman and Sam Ramirez chipped in as well, drilling treys, helping ASU grab the 51-47 advantage.
Elon tried to thwart Appalachian's offense, but was unsuccessful, as Ramirez came alive at the right time for ASU, draining two three pointers in less than a minute to increase the Apps lead to six points.
After scoring just six points in the first half, Ramirez finished the contest with 18, nailing all four of her three pointers in the second half.
Two points would be Elon's narrowest of deficits as Appalachian just dominated the Phoenix, and earned a commanding 85-66 win.
The contest was tied three times in the early goings of play, but Tiffany Davis hit a three and the Phoenix began to increase its lead, up by eight points with a little over eight minutes to play in the first.
ASU came within as close as five, thanks in part to strong play by Canesha Edwards and Courtney Freeman, but Elon was too much, as Kelsey Evans anchored the Phoenix's attack, to put Elon up 14 at the break.
Courtney Freeman ended the game with a career and game-high 20 points, to go along with seven rebounds and four steals.
The Mountaineers rebounded, taking their first lead of the second half at the 14:55 mark off a Weldon jumper and never looked back. Despite Elon trying to rally, staging a 9-0 run, the Phoenix could never get past the nine point hump, and ASU grabbed the impressive win.
A record breaking day, Appalachian re-set ASU's single game block record and recorded a new Southern Conference single game blocks record, tallying a stout 17 blocks on the afternoon.
Appalachian looks to continue with its strong play, as the Mountaineers hit the road to take on Western Carolina, Monday January 4, with the contest set to begin at 7 p.m.
