ELON, N.C.- Appalachian State University women's basketball claimed sole possession of first place in the Southern Conference Monday evening, as the Mountaineers snapped a seven-game winning streak for Elon, defeating the Phoenix 67-54 in Alumni Gym. The win is Appalachian's fifth straight, improving the Black and Gold to a stout 15-4 overall mark and 9-2 conference record, while the Phoenix lose just their second game on their home floor dropping to 13-6 on the season and 8-3 in SoCon play.
Holding onto a 12-point halftime lead, senior Sam Ramirez found the bottom of the basket early in the opening minutes of the second half.
That coupled with Anna Freeman pouring in nine points over a three-minute span, was all the Black and Gold needed to earn its largest lead of the game up 51-31 with 13:26 remaining.
Both Ramirez and Anna Freeman led ASU on the offensive front, as Ramirez scored a team-high 17 points, and Anna Freeman poured in 16 points while hauling in eight rebounds, and grabbing seven steals.
Despite up 20, the Phoenix continued to make it interesting and a three-pointer by Julie Taylor along with a bucket by Candice Silas kept the game close, making the score 59-48
The Phoenix could never come closer than an 11-point deficit however, and final made free throws down the stretch by Anna Freeman and Kelsey Sharkey pushed ASU to the 13-point victory.
Appalachian gelled offensively early, posting an 18-4 run, but after taking a commanding 15-point lead with a little over seven minutes to play in the first period, Appalachian State lost some of its spark, and let Elon continue to hang around.
It was Appalachian's defense in part that enabled the Apps to take the large lead, as Elon coughed up the ball 18 times in the first half, and ASU turned those Phoenix miscues into 19 points.
The Mountaineers however did not help themselves going scoreless for the final 5:58 of the first half, and despite holding a 35-17 lead, the Phoenix were able to take advantage of ASU's offensive dry spell and gain some momentum, scoring six straight points to close out the period.
Ali Ford and Kelsey Evans were strong on the offensive end for the Phoenix during the stretch, and the two finished the game with 19 points and 14 points respectively, while Evans was the game's leading rebounder, grabbing 16.
Able to withstand a late Elon push in the second half, the Mountaineers went on to clinch the 67-54 win, and pick up its seventh straight victory at Elon's Alumni Gym.
Getting a much need break, Appalachian has four-days between conference games, as the Apps return to the High Country to host Furman, Saturday, January 29. The game between the two teams is slated to start at 2 p.m. from the Holmes Center.
