BOONE, N.C. - App State University women's basketball (1-5) aims to build off last Sunday's win against UAB (4-1) on Friday afternoon in the Holmes Center for the annual Education Day contest at 12 p.m.
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TICKETS
Fans can still purchase a 2017-18 Appalachian State basketball season ticket, which reserves a seat for all 26 regular-season games at the Holmes Center (13 men's, 13 women's), costs just $175 for courtside. Non-courtside season tickets are $100 for adults, $80 for senior citizens (ages 60 ) and Appalachian State faculty/staff and $50 for youth (ages 3-12). Appalachian State basketball season tickets can be purchased online by clicking
here, by phone at
(828) 262-2079 or in person at the Appalachian State athletics ticket office, located at the Holmes Center (Monday - Friday; 9 a.m. - 4 p.m.).
PROMOTIONS
Friday's contest is the annual Education Day game, where area elementary schools will travel to the High Country for the contest, while faculty and staff members can get into the game for free.
About the Mountaineers
Last Time Out
The Mountaineers captured their first win of the season in a 76-70 triumph last Sunday against College of Charleston.
Tierra Wilson put forth her best game of the season where she registered career highs in points (23), assists (6) and had zero turnovers in 40 minutes, which was also a personal best.
Bayley Plummer netted her second double-double of the season with a personal-high 14 points and 11 rebounds.
Nicola Mathews posted a season-high 12 points on four 3-pointers including two timely trifectas late in the fourth quarter to help keep the Cougars bay.
Kaila Craven came in late to hit all four of her free throws in the final minute to ice the contest. App State scored a season-high 76 points, dish out 21 assists, hit a season-best 10 3-pointers and converted 14-of-19 at the line, which was a season best.
Beyond the Arc
Through the first six games of the season, the Mountaineers have been more successful from deep compared to previous seasons. The 36 3-pointers made are the most through six games since the 2006-07 campaign when the Mountaineers canned 40 3-pointers, while they are fourth in the Sun Belt in 3-pointers made. Wilson is fourth in the league in 3-pointers made with 13 and Mathews is shooting 50 percent from deep, which is good for second in the conference.
What to Watch for
• After allowing a season-high 10 3-pointers on 50 percent shooting to North Carolina A&T last week, Appalachian held College of Charleston to just 2-of-12 shooting from the floor. UAB heads into Friday's contest as the 12th
best 3-point shooting team in the nation at a 42.9 percent clip, while Rachael Childress (54.0% - 18th
) and Deanna Kuzmanic
(50% - 31st
) both are in the top 31 nationally. See if App can contain the Blazers from outside the arc.
• The Mountaineers also did damage against the Cougars on Sunday hitting a season-high 10 treys. It was the first time App had reached double digits in 3-pointers since 2012-13 against Norfolk State. See if the Black and Gold can get it going from 3-point land on Friday.
• App State is averaging 18 free throws per game and converted on a season-high 73.6 percent (14-19) from the charity stripe. UAB allows just 14 free throws per contest to opponents. Watch if the Apps can get to the line and continue to take advantage of the opportunities.
• Wilson and Plummer combined for 37 points, 12 boards and 10 assists in the Mountaineers' win on Sunday. The tandem are average a combined 20.5 points, 13.8, and 4.5 assists per game. Watch if the duo can help lead the Apps to a second straight win.
• Mathews had her best game in a Black and Gold uniform scoring 12 points on four 3-pointers, including two clutch trifectas in the last three minutes of the fourth quarter against College of Charleston. The sophomore has hit zero shots at home. Expect the 50 percent shooter from beyond the arc to get it going inside the Holmes Center on Friday.
Scouting UAB
• The Blazers are off to a solid 4-1 start with their only loss coming at the hands of Indiana, 71-63.
• UAB is led by fifth-year head coach, Randy Norton, who has a 68-60 career mark.
• Rachael Childress' 15.8 ppg is a team best with Deanna Kuzmanic
(13.8 ppg) and Miyah
Barnes' 12.0 ppg the following suit.
• UAB has the top scoring offense in Conference USA at 75.6 ppg and first in points per possession at 1.050.
• The Blazers have been successful on the glass averaging 13.4 offensive boards per game and the fourth-highest rebounding margin at +7.6 in C-USA.
• UAB has done a great job of protecting the ball as it averages just 13.2 turnovers per game.
• The Blazers have been one of the most accurate 3-point shooting teams, as they are 12th
in the nation shooting 42.9 percent.
• Childress is tied for fifth in efficiency at 13.7 in C-USA.
Series History
Friday's game is the first-ever matchup between App and UAB, while the Mountaineers are 26-40 all-time against schools from Conference USA. Twenty-two of Appalachian's wins are against Marshall, which it will play on the road in December, while the other four wins are against Charlotte.
Next Up
The Mountaineers will end non-conference play with four straight road games including back-to-back contests against North Carolina and Wake Forest. App heads to Chapel Hill for a 5:30 p.m. Sunday contest against the Tar Heels.
