CHARLESTON, S.C.- Appalachian State University women's basketball was able to stave off a tough Charleston Southern squad, and hold on for a thrilling 62-47 victory Thursday evening in the opening round of the inaugural Women's Basketball Invitational. The win marks the Apps' first-ever in postseason history and improves the Black and Gold to 20-12 on the 2009-10 campaign, as CSU ends the season with a 17-14 record.

After dominating the first period, the Black and Gold saw an 18 point first half advantage dwindle down to two, as Shay Jones drained two free throws to cut into ASU's lead as it was Appalachian that led just 45-43 with 6:45 remaining.

However, freshman Ashlen Dewart continued to shine, as she hit a layup and nailed the ensuing free throw. Dewart was stellar the entire game, as that bucket provided a spark, and Appalachian outscored Charleston Southern 15-4 in the final six minutes en route to the win.

Dewart was unstoppable in the low post, as she poured in a game-high 18 points, shooting a stout 7-8 from the field, while also hauling in eight rebounds.

It was a 17-4 Buccaneer run beginning at the 17:05 mark of the second half that put the contest back within Charleston Southern's reach, as CSU was paced by Katie Tull during the streak as she had two treys.

Tull finished as the leading scorer for the Lady Bucs, as she had 12 points.

Continuing to answer when it counted, late heroics and impressive play by the Mountaineers proved to be the difference-maker and helped give ASU a 15 point win.

Junior Sam Ramirez drilled a trey in the opening seconds of the game, as ASU started the game on the fire going up 25-9 halfway through the first. It was the two early treys by Ramirez, coupled with 15 Dewart points that gave Appalachian the commanding advantage.

Final buckets by Ramirez and Chakeitha Weldon earned ASU the 35-19 lead heading into intermission.

A 16 point lead at the half was not quite enough for ASU, who had a sluggish second half as an early run by CSU saw a once double-digit Mountaineer lead diminish.

Despite the low offensive production, the Black and Gold answered and snapped a six game home winning streak for Charleston Southern, pulling out the victory.

Strong on the glass for the second consecutive game, ASU out-rebounded CSU 53-35.

Living to see another day, the Apps now return to the High Country to host the second round of the WBI, as ASU welcomes Fairfield to the Holmes Center, Sunday March 21. The contest is slated to tip at 2 p.m.

Notes: The 20 wins are the most for ASU in a season since 1995-96 (24-6) ... it is just the sixth time in school history ASU has posted 20 plus wins ... Appalachian now has the best turnaround in school history (+10.5) ... the victory is ASU's first-ever in the postseason ... Appalachian is now 12-6 away from the Holmes Center ... the Mountaineers are 3-0 against Charleston Southern.