GREENSBORO, N.C. - Appalachian State women's basketball fell to UNCG, 54-47, in the final non-conference game of the season on Sunday afternoon in Fleming Gymnasium.
App State falls to 3-8, while UNCG improves to 9-4 on the season.
Brooke Bigott and
Lainey Gosnell paced the offense with 12 points apiece. For the second straight game, Bigott tied a career high with four 3-pointers. She also added four boards and two assists in her first-career start.
Bayley Plummer posted tied a game-high with 13 boards coupled with seven points and four blocks, tying a season best.
For the second time this season, the Black and Gold held an opponent to a season low in points at home. Also, App held Nadine Soliman in check to only seven points on 1-of-5 shooting. She came in averaging 19.9 points per game, which was 16th in the country.
However, the offense couldn't make its open shots, as it shot under 35 percent from the field and 25 from long range.
App State was within striking distance early in the fourth after trailing 40-33 going into the frame. A three-point play by
Pre Stanley and a jumper by Gosnell capped off a quick five points to bring the lead to one possession, 40-38. UNCG went on a 9-2 run to take a 49-40 advantage with 3:03 left in the game. The Spartans held off the Black and Gold for the win despite Appalachian slicing the gap to five, 49-44. UNCG came up with five off its 11 offensive rebounds in the final period, all coming in the last half of the quarter.
The Mountaineers got off to a strong start, as they jumped out to a 10-6 lead. Layups by Plummer and Stanley broke a 6-6 tie. UNCG finished the quarter by going on a 10-0 run to take a 16-10 advantage.
A 9-2 surge in the opening 5:04 of the second frame gave App State a 19-18 edge. The defense held UNCG to just 1-of-10 in the first 5:22 of the period. Appalachian couldn't capitalize on the other end. After starting 4-for-6, the offense missed four of its five final attempts, leading UNCG to hold a 24-21 lead going into the break.
App State stayed within striking distance in the third quarter, keeping the hosts' lead to one possession until the Spartans hit five straight shots when the game was tied to go up by nine. Gosnell's layup in the closing minutes made the score 40-33 at the end of the third.
Te'ja Twitter (14 points) and Alexus Wiley (12 points) did most of the damage for UNCG, combining for 26 points.
The Mountaineers will now turn their attention towards conference play, where they will travel to Alabama to face South Alabama and Troy. App State will face the Jaguars on Thursday at 8 p.m. (ET) in Mobile.
