DAVIDSON, N.C.- Appalachian State University women's basketball captured its third straight win, as the Mountaineers pounded Davidson 83-66 Wednesday evening at the Wildcats' Belk Arena.
After leading 42-24 at halftime, Appalachian State (13-4, 7-2 SoCon) scored five straight points to open the second half making the score 47-24 in the Apps' favor.
Free throws however, kept Davidson (6-10, 2-6 SoCon) hanging around, as the Wildcats poured in 11 points from the charity stripe in the opening six minutes of second period play to cut DC's deficit to just 15 points.
Relentless, ASU answered with a 10-0 streak and then proceeded to take its largest lead up 29 points with 7:51 left to play as Sam Ramirez connected on another three-pointer.
The lone senior was stellar in the game as she was one of five Mountaineers that closed out the contest in double-figures, scoring a game-high 24 points, including tying a career-best with six three pointers.
Ramirez also dished out six assists, and swiped four steals.
Davidson would continue to hang around, but 15 points would be the narrowest of margins however, as Appalachian was able to stave off a chippy Wildcat team, and cruise to the 17 point win.
After ASU saw its once double-digit lead diminish to just three-points, clinging to a 21-18 lead with a little under seven minutes to play until the half, the Apps posted a monster 21-6 run that the Wildcats had no answer for.
It was all Chakeitha Weldon, Ramirez and Ashlen Dewart for the Black and Gold offensively, as Weldon started the spurt by converting a three-point play.
Dewart was the Mountaineers' second leading scorer with 17 points, while Weldon posted a season-best 11.
The junior guard chipped in another layup during ASU's scoring outburst, but it was the impressive play by Ramirez that gave the Apps the 18-point halftime cushion.
Ramirez came alive on the offensive front, scoring all 13 of her first-half points during the final six minutes of the first period, to put ASU on top 42-24 at the break.
Despite Davidson trying to post a furious rally, and gaining some momentum in the waning minutes of play, thanks in part to Shneeka Center, who finished as the Wildcats leading scorer with 19, ASU picked up the decisive win.
Continuing with its stay on the road, the Black and Gold head to Greensboro, N.C. to battle UNCG, Saturday, January 22. The contest between the Mountaineers and Spartans is set to tip off at 2 p.m. from UNCG's Fleming Gym.
