BOONE, N.C.- Appalachian State University women's basketball overcame a sluggish first half and sloppy play to earn its 12th consecutive home win Monday evening, as the Apps defeated Western Carolina 65-50. The win snaps a two-game losing streak for the Mountaineers and improves the squad to 7-3 overall and 2-1 in Southern Conference action, while Western Carolina falls to 3-7 on the season and 1-2 in league play.
After displaying a lackluster effort for most of the contest, grasping to a four-point lead, ASU picked up its pace at the right time, posting a 14-3 game-changing run with 10 minutes to play to put the Mountaineers on top 54-38.
Offensive contribution from junior Frances Puello, who saw her first game-time action this season, in addition to aggressive and strong play by sophomore Courtney Freeman enabled the Apps to grab the 16-point advantage.
Freeman scored eight points during the streak, and ended the game with her first double-double of the season, hauling in a game-high 10 rebounds, while posting 11 points.
Three made free throws by Sam Ramirez and an Anna Freeman layup put Appalachian in front by 20 points, and the Black and Gold went on to pick up their third-straight win over their conference rival.
Freeman had a complete game against the Catamounts as well, scoring 11 points, grabbing eight rebounds, swiping six steals, while dishing out four assists.
First half play was knotted twice before an 8-2 Mountaineer run saw ASU jump out to a 21-13 lead. Anna Freeman propelled the Apps' run, as she poured in four points, while Ramirez and Ashlen Dewart contributed offensively as well.
Despite the eight-point cushion, five-straight Catamount points made it a contest once again, and a final Chakeitha Weldon layup saw ASU cling to a narrow 25-20 lead heading into intermission.
ASU was lethargic coming out of the break, and Janae McKinney was able keep Western Carolina hanging around, tying action at 25.
Fortunately, Ramirez found the bottom of the net at the right time, drilling back to back three-pointers to extend Appalachian's lead back out to six points, up 33-27.
Ramirez' offense sparked Appalachian's turnaround, and the Apps went on notch the double-digit victory.
Yet again stellar, the lone senior for ASU kept with her offensive brilliancy, pouring in 22 points on 8-16 shooting, along with tying a career high six steals, recording six rebounds and totaling three assists.
Dominate defensively, the 50 points were the fewest Appalachian has allowed an opponent all season, and the dismal 27.3 field goal percentage by the Catamounts was the lowest an ASU opponent has shot this season as well.
Taking an eight-day reprieve for the holidays, Appalachian State returns to action, playing its final non-conference game, Wednesday, December 29 at Atlantic Coast Conference opponent Wake Forest. The game between the Mountaineers and Demon Deacons is slated to tip off at 2 p.m. from WFU's Lawrence Joel Memorial Coliseum.
