BOONE, N.C. - Appalachian State women's basketball (0-1) suffered a 75-41 setback in the season opener to Georgia Tech (1-0) on Friday evening at the Holmes Center.
It was the first time App had hosted a Power Five program since 2006-07 when the Yellow Jackets invaded the High Country. It was a matchup in which experience trumped youth as the Apps' five starters in Tierra Wilson, LaPresha Stanley, Nicola Mathews,
Armani Hampton and
Bayley Plummer have just one combined start between the five athletes, and four making their first-career start (Wilson, Stanley, Mathews, Plummer).
Wilson poured in a team-high 15 points with four of her field goals coming from 3-point land.
Appalachian had open shots but couldn't convert on a night where it shot under 30 percent from the floor, while GT turned in a 44.6 shooting clip to go along with nine 3-pointers. GT also took advantage of 26 App miscues that turned into 25 points.
With the Yellow Jackets holding onto an 8-3 advantage, Wilson hit her second trifecta in the first 4:12 of the contest to bring the Apps to within one possession of the 2017 WNIT runner-ups. However, GT finished the quarter with an 18-3 edge in the final 5:48 of the opening frame to go up 26-9.
GT wouldn't relinquish the lead the rest of the night, but the App State defense would impressively hold Georgia Tech to just five points in the ensuing period. Appalachian held the Yellow Jackets to only 16.7 percent shooting from the floor and 1-for-7 from beyond the arc, showing how stingy the Black and Gold defense can be.
Also, the Mountaineers battled all evening on the boards picking up 14 on the offensive end.
Bayley Plummer registered a personal-best 13 rebounds, which was her fourth-career outing with at least 10 or more rebounds. Plummer also led the way with three steals.
Appalachian will look for its first win of the season in a quick turnaround in its road opener on Sunday against Radford at 5 p.m.
