CHARLESTON, S.C. – Despite a near triple-double from Anna Freeman, Appalachian State University women's basketball was forced to overcome a plethora of early mistakes and cold shooting in a 50-41 Southern Conference win over College of Charleston on Monday night at TD Arena.

The Mountaineers (18-3, 12-1 SoCon) shot just 25.7 percent (9-for-35) in the first half and trailed the Cougars (6-18, 5-10) for nearly the entire first period before pulling away in the second half.

In a game that was ugly from the onset, CofC was able to take advantage of the early ASU miscues and found itself up by as many as six points (19-13) with 3:42 remaining in the first half.

The Apps took their first lead on a Kelsey Sharkey with 37 seconds left in the first period to cap off an 8-2 run, but the Cougars answered with a late bucket to make it 21-21 at the half.

Appalachian State fared better in the second stanza, opening the half on a 14-3 run over the first 10 minutes of the period to take a 35-24 lead midway through the period.

College of Charleston answered with seven-straight points to pull within four (35-31) with just over six minutes on the clock and had several chances to close the gap even further as the Mountaineers were held without a field goal for almost eight minutes (8:45-1:16).

Freeman was able to convert a layup and hit a free throw with just under a minute left to extend ASU's lead to 41-33, but the Cougars answered with a quick three-pointer to cut the deficit to five points (41-36).

Maryah Sydnor hit a pair of free throws to make it 43-36 with 47 seconds left and the Apps were able to hang on for a hard-fought, 50-41 victory.

The Mountaineers shot just 24.6 percent (17-for-69) in the contest while CofC shot 26.4 percent (14-for-53). ASU collected 54 rebounds, 25 on the offensive glass, while the Cougars pulled down 45 boards.

Freeman led all players with 19 points, 13 boards and a career-high eight steals. Sharkey finished with nine points and eight rebounds while Raven Gary netted six points.

Alyssa Frye paced the Cougars with 14 points while Mikaela Hopkins had a team-high 10 rebounds. College of Charleston shot just 47.6 percent (10-for-21) from the free-throw line while the Mountaineers shot 77.8 percent (14-for-18).

Appalachian State committed 21 turnovers, had 16 steals and dished out nine assists while the Cougars turned the ball over 26 times, notched 11 steals and had eight assists.

The Mountaineers return to action when they play host to Wofford on Wednesday at 6 p.m. at the Holmes Center.

GAME NOTES: ASU forced 10 or more turnovers for the 88th-straight game... the Apps improved to 55-11 when A. Freeman scores 10 or more points...  Appalachian State finished with a 22-14 edge in points in the paint, 10-9 off turnovers and 15-11 on second-chance buckets... the Mountaineers improved to 43-10 in conference games since the start of the 2009-10 season.... Darcie Vincent picked up her 75th win as ASU's head coach.