BOONE, N.C. - Appalachian State University women's basketball defeated Catawba College on Tuesday night, winning with a score of 81-64.
KeKe Cooper led the team with 12 points as the Mountaineers (5-4) rolled past the Lady Indians (5-5, 2-3 South Atlantic) in the second half.
The first half was close as Catawba jumped out to a 12-10 lead with 14:22 to play. The Apps tied the game with a layup from Vernessa Hinnant and then pulled ahead, leading the Indians 19-16.
The Apps took their largest lead since the beginning of the game iwth a layup from Mia Marshall, making the score 27-23 at the 6:04 timing mark. Katelyn Doub ended the first half with a jumper for the Mountaineers as the Apps led Catawba 35-29 going into the half.
Cooper led App State with eight points in the first half, while Catawba's Bri Johnson and Chloe Bully each notched eight for the Indians.
Appalachian started the first half with an 8-4 run, pulling ahead 43-33 with 17:34 to play. The Mountaineers were able to maintain the ten-point lead, lengthening the lead to 15 points off a three-pointer from Doub at the 10:21 minute mark.
The Lady Indians scored 11 points in two minutes, but the Mountaineers were able to continue to find points as Farrahn Wood hit a shot from behind the arc, sparking an 8-2 run by the Mountaineers as they led 76-55 with 3:47 to play.
A three-pointer from Peggy Smith just under a minute was the icing on the cake for the Apps as they took the game 81-64.
Cooper was the leading scorer for the Apps, recording 12 points and six rebounds. Joi Jones followed with nine points and six assists, while Doub also notched nine points in the win. Maryah Sydnor led the team with eight rebounds.
The Mountaineers shot 53.8 percent from the floor in the game, recording 39 rebounds and 18 turnovers.
Catawba was led by Bri Johnson's 20 points as the team recorded a 36.4 field goal percentage. The Lady Indians had 37 rebounds and 19 turnovers.
The Mountaineers return to action on January 3 when they open Sun Belt play at Arkansas State at 4 p.m.
