JONESBORO, Ark. - Appalachian State women's basketball fell to Arkansas State on Saturday in the team's first Sun Belt game, 89-75.
Inability to force turnovers plagued the Mountaineers (5-5, 0-1 Sun Belt) as the Red Wolves (7-5, 2-0) took advantage of Appalachian's shaky defense.
Arkansas State started the game with six-straight points until the Mountaineers would get two points from Joi Jones at the 18:40 minute mark. With the Apps trailing 10-7 with 15:57 to play, the Red Wolves went on an 11-2 run to lead 21-9.
With 7:57 to play, the Mountaineers would return from a media timeout, trailing 35-20. Jones would hit a layup to spark a 6-0 run for the Apps, featuring four points from Maryah Sydnor, to trail 35-26.
App State continued to record points, finding jumpers from Katie Mallow, Madi Story and KeKe Cooper, but they could not stop the Red Wolves from scoring as A-State led at halftime, 46-36.
Sydnor led the Mountaineers in the first half with eight points as the team shot a 50.0 percent field goal percentage.
The Red Wolves were led by Jasmine Hunt's 14 points, while the team shot 42.9 percent from the floor in the first half.
Arkansas State scored the first four points of the second half, but Cooper and Mallow would respond for the Apps, combining for five points. A-State would go on a 6-0 run, scoring four points from free throws, but the Apps continued to find baskets.
App State scored on several possessions, but were unable to stop the Red Wolves from scoring as they took a 71-51 lead with 10:09 to play. Bria Carter tallied four-straight points for the Mountaineers to put them down, 72-54, but A-State responded once again, recording three points of their own.
The Mountaineers scored 19 points in the last seven minutes of the game, but were too far behind to catch up as the Red Wolves took the game, 89-75.
Four players scored in double-figures for the Apps, with Cooper leading with 17 points and seven rebounds. Sydnor followed with 14 points and seven rebounds, while Bria Huffman recorded 11 points, three assists and two steals. Mallow added ten points.
The Mountaineers shot 43.8 percent from the floor in the game, recording 39 rebounds and turning the ball over 15 times.
Arkansas State had five players in double-figures as Hunt led the team with 19 points. The Red Wolves recorded a 46.5 field goal percentage, 38 rebounds and just five turnovers.
The Mountaineers are back in action on Monday, Jan. 5 when they host UL Lafayette at 5 p.m.
