JOHNSON CITY, Tenn. - With the clock winding down in the final seconds and the game tied, Joi Jones banked a running 3-pointer at the buzzer to lift Appalachian State University women's basketball (3-2) past ETSU in a thrilling 71-68 victory Wednesday evening at Brooks Gymnasium.
After Jones had hit a pair of free throws to put the Apps ahead, 68-65, ETSU's Tianna Tarter drilled a 3-pointer with five seconds left to tie the game. That's when Jones took the ball and ran up the floor to hit the monumental game-winner. Jones stepped up scoring the final seven points for Appalachian in the final 20 seconds of the game.
The senior leader was more than clutch scoring 18 of her game-high 20 points in the second half while grabbing a season-high eight boards in the process and dishing out a team-high three assists.
Madi Story scored a season-high 12 points and grabbed seven boards while Ashley Bassett-Smith scored 12 points on three buckets and a 6-of-8 performance from the line. The senior forward was big down low with a season-best eight boards and a block.
Bria Carter recorded season highs in points and rebounds with nine and seven, respectively.
App State came out of the gate strong with a 13-4 jump in the first 5:39 of the game. Story scored seven of the team's first nine points with the Apps getting the start they have been looking for recently. Later in the quarter, Mikaya Wilson drove the lane for a layup before Carley Lytton hit a trifecta to put the Mountaineers' lead at six,15-9.
The second quarter belonged to ETSU as it outscored Appalachian, 26-16, shooting 55.6 percent from the floor and outrebounding the Black and Gold, 15-4. After Jones hit a jumper to extend the lead back to nine (24-15) with 6:18 left in half, the Bucs would score 20 of the next 27 points to take a 35-31 lead into halftime.
ETSU came out of the locker room with the first four points of the second half to stretch the lead to its largest at eight, 39-31. But the Apps showed grit and toughness slowly clawing their way back with a 15-6 run over 6:31 that was sparked by back-to-back buckets by Story and Q Murray. The starting five took charge during the run as all five contributed in the scoring column. Both teams had traded baskets before Carter and Bassett-Smith hit three foul shots in the last 41 ticks to hold a 48-47 edge going into what was an exciting fourth period.
The Black and Gold's defense clamped down on ETSU, holding the hosts to a 22.2 percent shooting clip from the field, which was the second time the Bucs shot 25 percent or less in a quarter.
Quarter four was neck-and-neck with both teams as neither team led by more than four points. The Bucs would take a 50-48 lead to open the fourth quarter before Jones' jumper started a quick 6-0 spurt. Murray scored the next four points including her lone 3-pointer that proved to be clutch after struggling from beyond the arc.
Appalachian stayed in front for the majority of the final period until ETSU hit two from the charity stripe to take a 63-62 lead with 1:06 left in the game.
With Carter and Bassett-Smith fouling out earlier in the frame at the 3:50 mark, the Apps were thin in the frontcourt, but freshman Bayley Plummer stepped up when her name was called. Plummer scored six of her eight points in the quarter including a pair of crucial free throws that gave Appalachian the lead back with 48 seconds left. Plummer's defense on the other end played a factor as she altered Dean's go-ahead attempt and came down with the rebound.
From that point on, Jones would take over to help push the Apps to their seventh win the last eight meetings against ETSU and matching last season's win total in non-conference play.
The coaching staff put in a perfect game plan on defense to contain Shamauria Bridges and Tarter, giving the Bucs different looks on the defensive end. Despite the duo scoring 31 points, the points didn't come easy. The Mountaineers limited the pair to 9-of-27 shooting from the field.
App State outscored ETSU in the paint, 34-24, and took advantage of 19 ETSU turnovers and scored 11 points off the miscues.
Appalachian will begin its home slate on Sunday with a 2 p.m. contest against College of Charleston.
Quotable:
“ What a fun finish and a great effort from our entire team. I'm really proud of how we fought and the execution we displayed tonight. Our team showed tremendous FIGHT, and we played really hard for each other. I am happy for Joi (Jones) and really grateful I was able to share that buzzer-beater with her and our team tonight” - Angel Elderkin
Tip-Ins
- App State shot 30 or more free throws for the fourth time in five games this season.
- The Mountaineers are 3-0 this season when at least three-student athletes score in double figures.
- Bassett-Smith has scored in double figures in four-straight outings.
- The Mountaineers have dealt ETSU two of its six all-time losses in Brooks Gymnasium.
- Story (16), Murray (13) and Bassett-Smith (10) led the team in the plus/minus category.
- Jones showcased a team-high 20 Player Efficiency Rating
- The Bucs' nine points in the first quarter is the lowest they have scored in any game this season
- Head Coach Angel Elderkin improves to 3-0 all-time against ETSU.
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