BOONE, N.C. - Appalachian State University women's basketball (2-8) aims to finish non-conference play on a high note and go into Sun Belt action with some momentum as it closes out the four-game road trip at UNC Asheville on Thursday at 7 p.m. in Kimmel Arena.
Follow the Mountaineers:
Twitter |
Facebook |
Instagram
About the Mountaineers
Last Time Out
Appalachian used a 13-6 run over the final 4:36 of the fourth quarter to come back from a 5-point deficit (48-43) to capture a 56-54 triumph at Marshall last Saturday.
Bayley Plummer had a big-time performance in the best outing of her career as she turned in a career-high 16 points and 18 rebounds.
Nicola Mathews was just as pivotal with a personal-high 17 points and five assists. The Australian point guard shot 5-of-9 from the floor and 4-of-6 from 3-point range.
LaPresha Stanley did her damage in the second half, scoring 14 of her career-high tying 16 points including a personal 9-0 run late in third quarter.
Plummer Lands on NCAA Starting Five
The sophomore center was nationally recognized for her stellar performance against the Thundering Herd. Plummer joined Chennedy Carter (Texas A&M), Brooke McCarty (Texas), Teaira McCowan (Mississippi State) and Jessica Shepard (Notre Dame) as this week's five student-athletes that are showcased.
Sun Belt Leaders
A few of the Mountaineers are at or near the top in the Sun Belt in some statistical categories. Mathews is tied for first in the Sun Belt in 3-point field goal percentage at 50 percent, while Plummer leads the league in rebounding (12.1) and is third in blocked shots (1.8). Stanley's team-high 2.7 assists per game is 13th in the conference and leads all freshmen.
Tierra Wilson is second in the league in minutes per game at 35.8 mpg and that also is leading all first-year players.
What to Watch For
• Bayley Plummer posted a career-high 16 points and 18 rebounds against Marshall. In two wins this season, Plummer is averaging 14.5 points and 15 rebounds. See if Plummer can continue to dominate the paint and the glass on Thursday at UNCA.
• Opponents are averaging a pace of 65.9 in wins against the Bulldogs, while just a pace of 52.8 in losses. See if the Black and Gold can dictate the tempo.
• The Bulldogs are allowing opponents to score 1.023 points per possession this season, the third lowest in the Big South. Watch if Appalachian can take advantage of its opportunities on offense.
• UNCA has hit at least five trifectas in four-straight games including a season-high 10 3-pointers against USC Upstate. See if the Mountaineers' defense can stop the Bulldog 3-point attack on Thursday.
• Nicola Mathews is on her best stretch of the season where she's averaging 9.6 points, 2.8 assists, 2.4 rebounds and shooting 54.5 percent from beyond the arc. In the win over Marshall, she scored a career-high 17 points with five assists.
Scouting the Bulldogs
• UNC Asheville is led by sixth-year head coach Brenda Kirkpatrick.
• The Bulldogs won their first road game of the season over USC Upstate on Saturday.
• Bronaz Fitzgerald and Khaila Webb lead the team averaging 12.1 ppg, while Fitzgerald is also turning in a team-high 8.0 rpg and Webb has a team-high 24 assists.
• The Bulldogs are second in the Big South shooting 40.7 percent from the floor.
• UNCA is also third in its league in 3-point field goal percentage at 33.9.
• For the season, the Bulldogs are one of three teams allowing at least one point per possession at 1.023.
• Fitzgerald is third in the Big South in points per 40 minutes at 21.9
• Juliet Esadah is leading the league at a 71.4 effective field goal percentage and 70 true-shooting percentage
• The Bulldogs are shooting 50.8 percent from the floor and 46.9 percent from three of their two wins.
Series History
• The Mountaineers have a winning record against the seven teams they have played from the Big South, boasting a .667 win percentage.
• Appalachian is averaging 78.8 points per game against UNC Asheville including at least four games where the Mountaineers have scored 90 points and one game with 100.
• Appalachian's average margin of victory during the three game win streak has been 27.3 points per game. App won last season by 30, 81-51.
Up Next
Appalachian will turn its attention towards conference play as it hosts Texas State (Dec. 29 - 5 p.m.) and UT Arlington (Dec. 31- 12 p.m.) next weekend.
