BOONE, N.C. - Appalachian State University women's basketball (12-11, 6-6 SBC) will look to snap a two-game slide on Thursday at 6 p.m in the GSU Sports Arena against Georgia State (14-10, 8-5 SBC).
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Previewing the Matchup
Both teams have had a resurgence after single-digit victories in 2017-18. Georgia State and App State are first and second, respectively, in the Sun Belt in win improvements through 23 games compared to last season. The Panthers have nine more wins (5 to 14) than last season at this point, while App has six more victories (6 to 12). The Mountaineers and Panthers are both in the mix for one of the top-four seeds in the Sun Belt Tournament. A win for App State would close the gap from one to two games in the standings. App State has been successful on Georgia State's court with four of its five wins in the series coming in Atlanta.
About the Mountaineers
Last Time Out
Appalachian fell to Coastal Carolina in its previous outing, 74-66, on the road. The Mountaineers cut a 17-point deficit down to three points in the fourth quarter, but wouldn't get closer than that.
Brooke Bigott came off the bench to score a career-high 14 points on 5-of-6 shooting off the bench in 20 minutes.
Lainey Gosnell scored 14 points as well with three trifectas.
Bayley Plummer snagged a game-high 14 rebounds. The junior has amassed at least 14 rebounds in every Sun Belt game.
What to Watch for
- During conference play, Georgia State is allowing 8.8 3-pointers in conference losses. In addition, they have allowed at least nine trifectas in five conference games. Watch if the Mountaineers can get it going against the Panthers from 3-point range.
- See if App can get the ball moving for easy shots, as opponents are assisting at a rate of 70 percent of their field goals in wins over Georgia State. In losses, it's down to 54.4 percent.
- The Mountaineers will have to protect the ball on Thursday. GSU is second in turnovers forced (18.9 topg) during conference play. In addition, GSU is 6-1 when scoring 20 or more points off turnovers in Sun Belt play.
- Georgia State is 1-5 in conference play when it shoots below 30 percent from beyond the arc. Watch if App can contain the Panthers' 3-point attack.
- Over the past four games, the bench for Appalachian is averaging 21.8 points on 46 percent shooting. The reserves scored 31 points in the setback at Coastal Carolina last Saturday. It was the third time this season the bench scored at least 30 points on the road. Previous performances include 46 points at Davidson and 38 at UT Arlington. Watch if the bench can step up once again on Thursday.
Scouting Georgia State
- Georgia State has been one of, if not the most improved team in the Sun Belt.
- After a 2-3 start to conference play, the Panthers are 6-2 in their last eight games.
- Georgia State is led by first-year head coach, Gene Hill.
- Jada Lewis leads three players in double figures averaging 14.7 points per game.
- Following suit are Allison Johnson (11.1 ppg) and Walnatia Wright (10.4 ppg).
- Wright also leads the team in rebounding at a clip of 8.3 per game.
- The Panthers have been one of the top defenses during league action, as its 60.1 points allowed per game is second to Little Rock (54.2 ppg).
- Georgia State is also third in field goal percentage at 42 percent.
- Lewis leads the conference in minutes per game at 36.1 per game.
Series History
App State and GSU are tied in the all-time series, 5-5. The Mountaineers captured a 77-62 win last season in the Holmes Center over the Panthers.
Tierra Wilson led four players in double figures with a game-high 22 points on 7-of-12 shooting
with five 3-pointers.
What's Next
App will close the three-game road trip with a 2 p.m. matchup against archrival, Georgia Southern, on Saturday in Statesboro.
