BOONE, N.C. - Appalachian State University women's basketball got a win over fourth-place Texas State on Thursday at the Holmes Center, 61-55.
The Mountaineers (14-14, 9-10 Sun Belt) won their third-straight game, splitting the season-series with the Bobcats (16-12, 11-8).
Appalachian began the game with a jumper from Maryah Sydnor and three-pointer from Farrahn Wood to take a 5-2 lead. With the Mountaineers leading 11-10 at the 14:08 minute mark the Bobcats went on a 6-0 run as App trailed 16-11 with 12:20 in the first half.
From there the Apps struggled to score, falling behind 28-19 at the 6:56 minute mark. The Mountaineers slowly began to chip away at Texas State's lead, getting four-straight points from Sydnor, but the Bobcats responded with three points of their own.
A basket from behind the arc from Katelyn Doub suddenly sparked an 11-0 run for the Apps as they forced three-straight Texas State turnovers to lead 34-31 with 22 seconds left in the half. The Bobcats converted on a last-second three-pointer as the teams went to the locker rooms with a tied score of 34-34.
Sydnor led the team with 12 points, while Jones followed with 10 in the first half. The Apps shot 43.8 percent from the floor in the first 20 minutes.
The Bobcats were led by Meghan Braeuer's eight points as the team recorded a 44.8 field goal percentage.
Texas State started the second half with a 5-3 run, but App began to make shots, scoring eight-straight points with help from Jones, Bria Carter, Ashley Bassett-Smith and Bria Huffman to lead 41-39 at the 16:54 minute mark.
The Bobcats fought back, hitting two-straight three-pointers, but Madi Story responded with a three of her own with ten minutes to play. Texas State tied up the game at the 5:36 minute mark, but Bassett-Smith struck again and Huffman hit a free throw to give the Apps at 56-53 lead.
Defense would be the decider for the Apps in the last four minutes of the game as they stopped the Bobcats on their next five possessions. The Mountaineers struggled to find baskets as well, but Huffman would convert on a jumper off a pass from Story to give App a 58-53 lead with 1:38 to play.
The Apps stopped the Bobcats on their next three possessions, but Texas State would finally get two points, cutting App's lead to just three points and 20 seconds left in the game.
Jones and Carter combined for three crucial free throws to close out the game for the Mountaineers as they won with a score of 61-55.
Sydnor led the team, posting a double-double with 16 points and 12 rebounds, while Jones followed with 14 points and six boards.
Appalachian shot 38.7 percent from the floor in the game, recording 46 rebounds and 15 turnovers.
Texas State was led by Erin Peoples' 11 points while the team recorded a 35.5 field goal percentage, 39 rebounds and 14 turnovers.
The Mountaineers return for a game on Saturday, March 7 against UT Arlington when they honor seniors Maryah Sydnor and Katie Mallow.
