RICHMOND, VA.- Appalachian State University women's basketball used a late 9-0 run to cut its once double-digit deficit to just five points, but the Apps' late rally fell short as the Black and Gold dropped an 88-78 decision to Richmond Wednesday evening in the Spiders' home-opener. The loss marks ASU's first of the season as the squad falls to 2-1 overall and while Richmond improves to 2-1.
A made Chakeitha Weldon free throw sparked the Appalachian run with under four minutes to play and the Mountaineers who were once down by as many as 15 in the second half began to show some life.
Kelsey Sharkey, Ashlen Dewart and Canesha Edwards all contributed to ASU's comeback bid, but the Spiders scored the final five points of the game and hung on to hand ASU the 10 point loss.
Edwards was just one of four Mountaineers who finished the contest in double-figures as she poured in 12, along with grabbing eight rebounds and dishing out two assists.
First half play saw the lead change hands six times before a 17-6 Spider streak put Richmond in control the final six minutes of first half action.
Abby Oliver paced Richmond's offensive assault during the run scoring 10 points, with six of them coming from behind the arc.
Along with Oliver, offensive stud Brittani Shells contributed to Richmond's lead as well registering four points.
Shells ended with a game-best 28 points, while swiping six steals and recording five assists.
Both Weldon and Sam Ramirez tried to get something going on the offensive front late in the first , but the veteran guard duo did not have an answer and Richmond took the 49-38 lead into the break.
In one of many second-half spurts, ASU clawed its way back cutting a once double-digit lead to just five points, outscoring Richmond 10-2 to make the score 60-55 with a little under 12 minutes to play.
Anna Freeman, Courtney Freeman and Edwards all provided the spark for Appalachian as the three combined for eight of the ten points during the run.
Anna Freeman was the Black and Gold's leading scorer on the night totaling 19 points, while also grabbing five rebounds and registering five assists.
A back and forth affair ensued and Appalachian was able to pull within five points down the stretch, but unfortunate turnovers and lack of execution on the offensive front proved costly and the Mountaineers suffered their first loss of the season.
Hoping to rebound, the slate does not get any easier, as Appalachian caps off its season-opening four-game road trip at former Southern Conference rival East Tennessee State. The game between the Mountaineers and Lady Bucs is set to tip off at 7 p.m. in Johnson City, Tenn.
