BOONE, N.C.- Looking to bounce back after a tough conference loss at Georgia Southern Monday, Appalachian State University women's basketball returns to action, Friday, January 14 as the Mountaineers entertain SoCon foe Samford. The contest between the two squads is slated to tip off at 7 p.m. in the Holmes Center.
FACULTY/STAFF NIGHT • ROTC • GIRL SCOUTS: Friday's night game will serve as the annual Faculty/Staff night, where any ASU employee is eligible to receive up to four free tickets to the game. The contest will also serve as ROTC night and the women's basketball team is inviting all Girl Scout troops in the local area to attend the game for Girl Scout night.
ABOUT THE APPS: Appalachian had its four-game winning streak snapped and suffered its second conference loss of the season Monday evening, as the Apps were dealt a 73-65 loss by conference foe Georgia Southern. The loss is ASU's second road SoCon loss of the season matching the total number of conference road defeats from the 2009-10 season.
After jumping out to an early six-point lead, the Apps were never able to maintain its advantage as the Eagles posted 17-4 spurt during a seven-minute span, jumping on top and never looking back.
The Mountaineers were able to pull within three points with under two minutes remaining, but unable to muster the comeback, GSU went on to hand Appalachian the eight-point loss.
The Black and Gold were sluggish the entire contest, and every time the squad posted somewhat of a run, GSU had an answer.
Despite shooting 46.9 percent from the field, ASU was out-rebounded 32-29 and shot a dismal 63.6 percent from the free throw line.
Four Mountaineers capped off the game in double-figures, with Sam Ramirez once again pacing Appalachian's offensive attack, pouring in 17 points. Ashlen Dewart, Anna Freeman and Chakeitha Weldon all scored in double-digits as well, while Mimi DuBose proved to be the difference-maker in the game for GSU, scoring a game-high 25 points.
The loss also is Appalachian's third-straight to Georgia Southern and drops Darcie Vincent coached teams to 1-4 all-time against GSU.
Overall, Ramirez averages a team-best 17.7 points per game, while Dewart pours in 16.4 and Anna Freeman 13.9. On the glass, Anna Freeman hauls in a team-best average of 6.5 rebounds per contest, while Dewart hauls in 6.2.
SCOUTING SAMFORD: Samford is 12-4 overall and 5-2 in SoCon play.
The Bulldogs have won five of their past six games, with their lone loss in their past six contests coming against Elon on January 8, suffering a 47-42 defeat to the Phoenix.
Samford is fresh off a 20-point rout of UNCG, downing the Spartans 66-46 Tuesday afternoon. Emily London scored a game-high 26 points, grabbed eight rebounds and swiped four steals in the win.
Previous to falling to Elon, Samford's last loss came at the hands of Georgia Southern, falling 67-66 on the Eagles' homecourt.
Samford is 2-1 on the road against league opponents.
The Bulldogs are first in the conference in scoring defense, limiting opponents to 55.0 points per game, first in free throw percentage, shooting 76.4 percent from the line, first in three-point field goal percentage and three-point field goal percentage defense. Samford also leads the league in turnover margin and assist-turnover ratio and three-point field goals made, averaging 8.5 three-pointers per game.
Two Bulldogs average double-figures scoring with senior Emily London averaging a game-high 15.9 points per game and fellow senior Savannah Hill scores an average of 11.9. All five of Samford's starters shoot better than 32 percent from behind the arc.
Hill grabs a team-best 5.9 rebounds per game. London is sixth in the SoCon in scoring, while Hill is 12th. London also leads the SoCon in free throw percentage, shooting 96.1 percent. Four Bulldogs are in the top seven in the league in three-point field goal percentage, with Hill leading the way shooting 50.0 percent from downtown.
UP NEXT: Appalachian continues with its homestand as it faces another fierce conference rival in Chattanooga. The Mountaineers and Lady Mocs are set to battle, Sunday, January 16 at 2 p.m. from ASU's Holmes Center.
