Boone, N.C. - Appalachian State University women's basketball will conclude its longest road trip of the season in Chapel Hill, N.C. on Saturday for a 2:00 p.m. tip-off against in-state foe North Carolina in Carmichael Arena
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GAMEDAY CENTRAL
Saturday, December 12 | Chapel Hill, N.C. | Carmichael Arena | 2:00 p.m.
@AppStatewbb at @UNCwbb
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About the Mountaineers
Last Time Out
The Apps fell on the road to College of Charleston, 60-50, on Wednesday, Dec. 2. Applachian had its opportunities in the contest to tie the game or take the lead, but couldn't convert. Freshman Kaila Craven scored a career-high 16 points off the bench on 5-for-10 shooting from the field and converting 5-of-7 from the charity stripe. Craven's 16 points is the highest for a freshman since Joi Jones on Jan. 4, 2014 at Furman (19 points), and the highest for a freshman coming off the bench since Maryah Sydnor dropped 20 points on Jan. 21, 2011 against ETSU.
Craven Coming Along
Following Craven's 16 points at CofC, the guard is now second on the team in scoring averaging 8.2 points per game. Over the previous three games, Craven is averaging 9.7 points per game on 50 percent shooting from the field (10-for-20).
Do it All Marshall
Mia Marshall has been filling the stat sheet this season averaging team highs in rebounds (7.5), steals (1.7), blocks (1.7) and third in field goal percentage at 45 percent. The post is the only player in the Sun Belt to lead her team in rebounds, steals and blocks. She also has two double-digit rebounding games this season along with a double-double.
Facing the ACC
The Apps and Tar Heels will give the program their 122nd matchtup against an ACC foe, the most against a Power Five school. The Black and Gold has 26 victories against ACC opponents, with 14 of those wins coming against Wake Forest (10) and Duke (four). The last triumph over an ACC foe came on the road against the Demon Deacons on Dec., 29 2010 (64-57).
Watch to Watch for at UNC
• See if Joi Jones can bounce back after scoring a season-low five points at CofC. The scoring leader for the Apps has averaged 6.5 points per game over the last two contests following a 15.0 ppg scoring clip over the first four games.
• The Apps have scored its fewest points in the first (87) and fourth (84) quarters this season. Watch if App State can start fast and finish strong on Saturday against the Tar Heels.
• Watch if the Apps Can take advantage of North Carolina's 3-point defense. UNC is 13th in the Atlantic Coast Conference in 3-point defense, giving up 7.5 trifectas per game and 32.9 percent shooting.
• Look for App State to stay aggressive as its 151 free throw attempts tops in the Sun Belt. North Carolina is allowing its opponents to attempt just 12.7 free throws per contest.
• See if the Black and Gold can battle on the boards with UNC. App State leads the Sun Belt in rebounding margin at plus-2.5, while the Tar Heels are outrebounding the opposition by plus-4.3
Scouting the Tar Heels (5-4, 0-0 ACC)
• The Apps and Tar Heels meet for the 23rd time in program history.
• App State is 4-18 all-time against UNC, with its last victory coming in 1977-78 (93-84)
• UNC is 5-4 after falling to Northwestern, 85-72, in the B1G/ACC Challenge on Wednesday, Dec. 2.
• The Tar Heels are led by legendary head coach Sylvia Hatchell, who is six wins away from 700 at North Carolina. A member of the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame, Hatchell has more wins than any other active women's head coach in the nation 966 career victories.
• Four players are averaging in double figures with Destinee Walker leading the way scoring 16.0 ppg. Jamie Cherry (14.1), Xylina McDaniel (12.0) and Stephanie Watts (11.4) round out the leading scorers.
• Hillary Summers and N'Dea Bryan leads the team in rebounding snagging 7.9 and 7.3 rebounds per game, respectively.
• UNC is shooting 76.8 percent from the charity stripe, ranking 15th in the nation. The Tar Heels are also 10th in free throws made (142) and 22nd in free throws attempted (185).
• UNC is outrebounding its opponents by just over four boards per game.
Up Next: Richmond
The Apps will return home for the first time since Nov. 19 for a 7 p.m. tip-off versus Richmond.
