BOONE, N.C. - Appalachian State University women's basketball (5-8, 2-2 SBC) couldn't have bounced back in a bigger way on Saturday against Texas State (7-6, 2-1 SBC) at the Holmes Center.
Madi Story's career-high 31 points and four other players scoring in double figures led the Mountaineers to an impressive 90-71 win over the Bobcats, handing the visitors their first Sun Belt loss of the season.
The sophmore guard was aggressive from the start shooting an impressive 11-for-15 (73.3 percent) from the floor and 8-of-13 from the line. Story set the tone early and got better as the game went on pouring in 20 points in the second half.
Cooper also had herself an impressive game with her second double-double of the season turning in an efficient 14 points on 7-for-11 shooting and 10 off the glass. Joi Jones stuffed the box score with 12 points, nine boards, and a game-high five assists. The junior guard was just one rebound shy of a career high and her first double-double. Kaila Craven bounced back today with 12 points off the bench, and Bria Carter rounded out the leading scorers with 10 points.
Defensively, the Apps played sound defense limiting one of the leagues top 3-point shooting teams to just 20 percent (3-for-15) from beyond the arc while forcing 18 turnovers. App State also dominated the paint outscoring Texas State, 50-24, and recording 19 second-chance points on 15 offensive rebounds.
The Bobcats took their only lead of the game with a 3-pointer to start the contest. App State took control as a 10-2 run ensued over a 2:08 span while four different players scored during the spark. App State stayed on top of TXST taking a seven-point lead, 22-15, to end the period after a layup from Craven.
Texas State would win the second quarter, 17-15, slicing the lead down to one possession, 30-28. But the Apps scored seven of the next 11 points go into the locker room with a 37-32 advantage. Jone and Cooper led the charge scoring all seven points, while Cooper hit a jumper before the half ended.
The Mountaineers offense started to roll in the second half where at one point they went 15-for-20 after starting the third quarter hitting six-straight buckets. After cutting the Bobcats cut the lead to five, 45-40, Story scored six of her 11 third-quarter points to stretch the advantage to nine, 51-42, and eventually ended the quarter with a 63-56 advantage.
From the fourth quarter on, the Apps absolutely dominated\ outscoring their counteparts, 27-15. App State continued to work on both ends of the court ballooning the lead to as much as the final score. App State separated itselves with an 11-4 run to go up by 15,79-64, earlier in the quarter. Once again Story showcased her skills having a hand in nine of the points while Jones capped off the run with a layup. App State held Texas State to 2-for-12 over the final minutes of the contest en route to the Mountaineers' largest victory of the season.
As much as the offense played a factor in the victory, the defense was just as impressive, as Texas State shot 10-for-30 (30 percent) over the final 17:24 of the game after starting 16-for-37 (43.2 percent)
App State will head back on the road next week for a stern test against the 2014-15 defending Sun Belt Champions, Little Rock, before squaring off against the preseason favorites, Arkansas State.
Quotable
“ Today was another step in our process. I enjoyed watching our execution on both offense and defense. I'm really proud of the energy and effort we displayed for 40 minutes. This was a great team win with contributions from everyone.” - Head coach Angel Elderkin.
Tip-Ins
- Story's 31 points is the first time a student-athlete has scored 30 points in a game at the Holmes Center since Maryah Sydnor scored 36 vs. Davidson on 1/25/14.
- The Mountaineers are 7-4 under coach Elderkin after losing by double digits.
- Ashley Bassett-Smith's two blocks now ties her with Kelsey Sharkey (2009-13) for sixth all-time in career blocks with 73.
- App State is 3-0 this season when five student-athletes have scored in double figures.
- Applachian is now 2-1 all-time against Texas State, and its the first win of 2016 for the Mountaineers.
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