RALEIGH, N.C. -  Appalachian State University women's basketball picked up its first-ever win over North Carolina State in a 66-62 victory in the second round of the 2012 WNIT on Saturday at Reynolds Coliseum.

The Mountaineers (27-6) overcame a late first-half run by the Wolfpack (19-16) and advanced to the Sweet 16 of the Women's National Invitation Tournament where they will face the winner of Monday's contest between Richmond and Virginia.

After falling behind by three points (5-2) early in the contest, the Apps battled back to tie things up at 7-7 on Raven Gary's three-pointer with 16:31 remaining in the half.

The Wolfpack responded with a three of their own moments later before Katie Mallow gave the Mountaineers their first lead of the contest when she connected from deep to make it 12-10 with just over 15 minutes to play.

Appalachian State would lead by as many as four points (14-10) before NC State reeled off a 13-2 run that saw it take its largest lead of the contest (23-16) with 7:27 left in the half.

The Mountaineers would put an end to the run when Mallow drilled another three pointer to end a seven-minute scoring drought and bring the Apps within four points (23-19) at the 5:11 mark.

Courtney Freeman would cut the deficit to just two points (23-21) with a layup just 30 seconds later, but the Wolfpack responded with six-straight points to push the lead back to six.

The Apps would trail by just four points in the closing seconds of the half, but NC State's Marissa Kastanek stole an inbound pass and converted a layup at the buzzer to give the Wolfpack a 31-25 lead at the half.

Anna Freeman put Appalachian State back in front (36-35) on a fastbreak layup five minutes into the half and Maryah Sydnor would give the Apps a seven-point lead (51-44), their largest of the contest, with a three-pointer with at the 9:03 mark.

The teams would trade jabs throughout the next few minutes before the Mountaineers opened things up 9-3 run to make it 60-51 when A. Freeman hit a three-pointer with just 5:20 remaining.

NC State would cut the deficit to just two points (62-60) with 19 seconds to play, but A. Freeman converted all four free throws down the stretch to propel Appalachian State into the third round of the WNIT.

A. Freeman led all players with 26 points while adding six steals. Mallow tallied 14 points and two steals while C. Freeman added nine points and six rebounds.

The Wolfpack was paced by 21 points and 11 rebounds from Kody Burke and Bonae Holston added nine points and 12 boards. Marissa Kastanek, a third-team all-ACC selection, was held to just four points.

As a team, the Mountaineers shot 45.5 percent (25-for-55) from the floor, including 57.7 percent (15-for-26) in the second half. NC State shot 32.9 percent (23-for-70), but won the rebounding battle by a 50-37 tally.

GAME NOTES: Appalachian State forced 10 or more turnovers for the 100th-straight game... the Mountaineers improved upon the school record for single-season wins... the Apps snapped a 24-game losing streak to the Wolfpack... ASU improved to 25-0 this season when leading with 10 minutes to play... the Mountaineers became the first Southern Conference team to advance past the second round of the WNIT since 1984 when Chattanooga advanced to the finals in what was then an eight-team, three-round tournament.