ELON, N.C. - Appalachian State University fell to SoCon rival Elon on Friday night with a score of 66-54.
The Mountaineers (5-10, 2-3 SoCon) trailed the Phoenix (6-10, 2-3) the entire game, falling behind by as much as 20 points in the first half.
The Phoenix immediately jumped out to an 8-2 lead to begin the game, as the Apps struggled to keep up with them. Elon would continue to find points, leading the Mountaineers 37-17 at halftime.
KeKe Cooper and Amber Doniere led the Mountaineers at the half, each notching four points. Appalachian shot just 22.2 percent (8-36) from the floor.
Jessica Farmer had eight points for the Phoenix, shooting 4-5 from the floor and leading Elon to a 53.8 percent (14-26) field goal percentage in the first half.
The Mountaineers would begin the second half with much of the same, trailing by 20 points until the 11:17 mark. Appalachian would go on an 9-0 run, topped by a huge pass from Bria Huffman to Cooper for two points down low to make the score 45-34 with 9:11 to play. Elon's Sam Coffer would respond with a three-pointer just a few seconds later.
Sydnor ran down the court and hit a shot from behind the arc on the next play and the Phoenix would do exactly the same in response with a three from Lenaira Ruffin to make the score 59-47 with 3 minutes to play.
The comeback would not be enough as the Mountaineers fell to the Phoenix with a final score of 66-54.
Maryah Sydnor led App State with 16 points and nine rebounds, while Cooper added 14 points and eight rebounds.
Huffman continued to score in double-figures for the Apps, recording 11 on the night.
The Mountaineers shot 45.7 percent on the night while pulling down 46 rebounds and turning the ball over 15 times.
Farmer led the Phoenix in the game, tallying 18 points in the team's victory. Coffer grabbed 12 rebounds and had nine points in the game.
Elon shot 46.9 percent from the floor, grabbing 36 rebounds and recording 17 turnovers.
The Mountaineers return to action on Sunday, Jan. 19 when they travel to UNCG for a 2 p.m. game.
