COLUMBIA, S.C.- Appalachian State University women's basketball battled Southeastern Conference foe South Carolina Wednesday evening and posted a solid effort, but was unable to withstand a chippy Gamecock squad as the Mountaineers dropped a 67-54 decision. The loss ends Appalachian's season with a 25-7 record, a program record in victories and improves USC to 18-14 overall, pushing USC to the next round of the Women's National Invitation Tournament.

Appalachian pulled within five points, five different times in second period action, with the last time coming off a Sam Ramirez  jumper, to make USC's lead just  51-46, but could never get over the hump in the final seven minutes of play.

Proving to be too much for the Mountaineers, South Carolina doubled up ASU in the final six minutes, outscoring the Apps 16-8 to hand the Black and Gold the 13-point loss.

The first half was knotted four times in the opening ten minutes of play, before South Carolina went on a 14-2 run to distance themselves, taking a commanding 22-12 lead.

The Black and Gold struggled offensively as the team hit a dry spell and went a little over six minutes without a bucket before sophomore Ashlen Dewart scored a layup.

Dewart and Courtney Freeman provided a much-needed Mountaineer spark, as the duo scored 12 of Appalachian's final 14 points of the first period.

Courtney Freeman was just one of two Mountaineers to end the game in double-figures, as she finished tied as the game's leading scorer with 13 points while also grabbing three rebounds.

With the burst, ASU was able to claw its way back into the contest, and the Apps headed into the break down just four.

After trailing 28-24 at the half, two buckets by Chakeitha Weldon  and Courtney Freeman saw ASU behind by three points down 35-32, only five minutes into second period play.

South Carolina however had an answer as Ashley Bruner connected on back to back possessions to push USC's lead back out to seven.

The Gamecocks continued to find their rhythm and extended their lead to double-digits, going up 11 at the 8:40 mark with Bruner continuing to propel USC on the offensive front.

Bruner closed out the contest with 12 points and three rebounds.

Keeping South Carolina on its heels and displaying some life, a 6-0 Appalachian run gave the Mountaineers a little momentum down by five points just under the seven minute mark.

The Black and Gold could never quite get it going however, and was unable to muster a comeback, as USC went on to grab the 67-54 victory.

For the sixth time this season ASU was out-rebounded, as the Gamecocks won the rebounding battle 32-29.

Bench play also proved to be a difference in the contest, with USC's bench out-scoring Appalachian's 39-10.

Having posted a banner 2010-11 campaign, head coach Darcie Vincent and the women's basketball program returns all but one starter for next year as 2011 Southern Conference Player of the Year Sam Ramirez graduates this Spring.