Mountaineers Host Arkansas State, Look to Continue Holmes Center Success

BOONE, N.C. - Appalachian State University women's basketball (9-7, 3-2 SBC) aims to continue its Holmes Center success on Thursday when it hosts Arkansas State (8-9, 3-3 SBC) inside the Holmes Center at 6:30 p.m.

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PROMOTIONS
Thursday's promotion for the Arkansas State contest is $1 day. All fans can get into the game for only $1. Go online and use the code: DOLLAR, or purchase at the southwest entrance. 

 

Want want to see you at the Holmes Center this Thursday night! Come out to support @AppStateWBB for just $1 admission. Purchase online (https://t.co/3I7JtWsziB) with code DOLLAR or purchase at the southwest entrance on game day. pic.twitter.com/fq1dkNViBU

— App State Athletics (@appstatesports) January 22, 2019

About the Mountaineers


Last Time Out
Behind stellar performances by Madi Story and Bayley Plummer, the Mountaineers downed the Chanticleers last Saturday, 67-53, to surpass last season's win total. Story scored scored 15 of her game-high 26 points in the second half, including 11 in the fourth quarter, while Plummer stuffed the box score with 14 points, 17 rebounds, four assists and three blocks in the victory. The defense held the Sun Belt's leading scorer, D.J. Williams, to just 15 points on 5-of-13 shooting from the field. Appalachian also assisted on 17 of its 24 field goals in the victory. The Black and Gold outscored Coastal Carolina 24-9 in the final period with the help of its defense and 60 percent shooting from the field. 

Play4Kay Free Throw Challenge 
App State is taking part in the annual free throw challenge held by the Kay Yow Fund. Each fan can pledge money for each free throw made during the month of February. Not even 24 hours since the announcement, and the Apps are fourth in the country with $475 pledged. 

What to Watch For
- During the Red Wolves three-game losing streak, opponents have assisted on 65% of their field goals. The Apps are coming off a game in which 17 of their 24 buckets were assisted on, the highest rate this season. Watch if the Mountaineers can continue to move the ball. 
- Since allowing a season-high 99 points to UTA in double overtime, the defense has clamped down limiting its last two opponents to just an average of 51 points, 35 percent shooting and only 20.8 percent shooting from beyond the arc. App held the top two scorers in the league (Toshua Leavitt/D.J. Williams) to a combined 9-of-30 shooting from the field and 26 points. Watch if the defense can continue to lock down on Thursday. 
- In two wins last season against Arkansas State, Bayley Plummer stuffed the stat sheet as she averaged 15 points, 14.5 rebounds, four assists, four blocks, and two steals. Watch if Plummer can have another successful outing against the Red Wolves. 
- In two of the past three games, Arkansas State has allowed its foes to score at least 20 second-chance points. App is 6-0 this season when scoring 15 or more second-chance points. Watch if the Black and Gold can muster up some second-chance opportunities. 
- Appalachian is averaging seven 3-pointers per game during conference play, while A-State is allowing 6.5 3-pointers per game. A-State allowed 20 trifectas over the previous two contests. Watch if App can sustain success from deep.  

Fourth-Quarter Fun
App has outscored its five conference foes by an average score of 22.2-13.6 in the fourth quarter. The Mountaineers are shooting 46.9 percent from the field, 50 percent from beyond the arc and 77.5 percent from the free throw line. The fourth quarter margin of plus-43 is the largest of any period, while the last two opponents in Texas State and Coastal Carolina each scored nine points in the final period. 

Scouting Arkansas State
-  Arkansas State is on a three-game slide after starting conference play with a 3-0 mark. 
- The Red Wolves are led by Peyton Martin, who is averaging 15.0 rebounds and 6.6 rebounds per game this season. 
- Jireh Washington leads the team with 51 assists, averaging three per game.
- A-State is leading the nation in free throw attempts with 468 attempts and 293 makes.
- Over the last three games, the Red Wolves are allowing 90.6 points per game. 
- They are also allowing opponents to shoot 35.0 percent from beyond the arc, which is 11th in the Sun Belt. 
- Arkansas State does a good job of turning over foes, as it is forcing 18.3 turnovers per game. 
- The Red Wolves are 2-6 on the road this season and 6-3 at home. 

Series History
-The series between the Mountaineers and Red Wolves is tied, 6-6. Appalachian has won four of the past five meetings including the last two at home. Last season, Nicola Mathews hit the go-ahead 3-pointer with 11 seconds left in the game. 

What's Next
Appalachian will host the defending Sun Belt Tournament and regular season champions, Little Rock, on Saturday at 2 p.m.