BOONE, N.C. - Appalachian State University women's basketball (12-9, 6-4) welcomes UT Arlington (17-5, 9-2 SBC) in a pivotal Sun Belt matchup on Saturday at 2 p.m. inside the Holmes Center. Saturday's contest is also the "Pack Holmes Pink" Play4Kay game.
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PROMOTIONS
Saturday's PACK HOLMES PINK
matchup versus the Mavericks is the Play4Kay game that will feature a number of opportunities to support a great cause in raising and spreading the awareness in the fight against breast cancer.
Free Pink T-Shirts
Pink App State women's basketball t-shirts will be provided to the first 50 fans.
Silent Auction
A silent auction will take place during the game to benefit the High Country Breast Cancer Foundation. Various auction items will include (but are not limited to):
- Appalachian State women's basketball memorabilia signed by the 2018-19 team.
- Appalachian State swag package.
- Appalachian Mountain Brewery Package including two tickets to HCBCF's Brushes & Brew on Feb.14.
- Banff Mountain Film Festival Tickets.
- Pink Orchid Living Arrangement by Mountain Laurel Floristry.
- Hound Ears Golf Package for four, and more!
Cancer Survivors.
Survivors who beat the deadly disease will be honored throughout the game.
Chuck-A-Duck
Already a fan favorite, fans can buy a pink duck to throw on the court at halftime and the fan(s) whose duck(s) land closest to the target will win a prize. The purchase of a duck for this competition will benefit the High Country Breast Cancer Foundation.
About the Mountaineers
Last Time Out
Appalachian dominated on both sides of the ball in its 77-56 win over Texas State. The Mountaineers had five players in double figures while limiting the Bobcats to 35 percent shooting on defense. App held the Sun Belt's leading scorer, Toshua Leavitt (16.7 ppg), to 4-of-21 shooting for just 10 points. Leavitt didn't score after the first quarter and missed her final 13 shot attempts. Appalachian improved to 11-0 this season when limiting its opponents to 70 points or less.
What to Watch For
- Since allowing a season-high 99 points in the double overtime loss to UTA, App has held its opponents over the next seven games (5-2) to just 61.4 points per game. Watch if the App defense can contain the potent UTA offense.
- Appalachian's reserves have played better as of late, averaging 17.7 points over the past three games. The bench unit is shooting 48.7 percent from the field and 44.4 percent from 3-point land during the stretch. See if the App State bench can continue to give a spark.
- App State has attempted at least 20 free throws in seven of its 11 wins. The Mountaineers have averaged 22.3 attempts at the charity stripe over the past three contests. Watch if the Black and Gold can get to the line against UTA.
- In the first matchup, the Mountaineers turned the ball over 23 times, which led to 19 points for the Mavs. Watch if the Apps can take care of the ball on Saturday.
- Cierra Johnson (29 points) and Katie Ferrell (21 points) combined to score 50 points in the first game. App is 8-2 this season when it doesn't allow a 20-point scorer. Watch if App can contain the duo.
Plummer in Elite Company
After registering her 100th career block on Thursday,
Bayley Plummer became the fourth player in school history with Valorie Whiteside, Anna Freeman and Shannon Thomas to post at least 500 points, 700 rebounds and 100 blocks for their career. The Thomasville native is currently sixth in school history with 767 rebounds and tied for seventh with 101 career blocks.
Scouting UT Arlington
- UTA heads into the High Country as one of the hottest teams in the Sun Belt with a five-game win streak.
- The Mavericks edged Coastal Carolina, 67-64, on Thursday.
- Cierra Johnson led the team with 16 points, while Katie Ferrell posted team highs in rebounds (9) and assists (6).
- UTA is third in the Sun Belt in scoring (74.1) and second in points surrendered at 60.1 per game.
- With having one of the best offenses in the conference, the Mavericks are first in field goal percentage (.462) and 3-point field goal percentage (.397).
- Johnson leads the team in scoring at 14.4 ppg, while Claire Chastain is the other Maverick in double figures at 10.3 ppg.
- Ferrell is leading the way in rebounding (7.7 rpg) and assists at a clip of 4.5. Ferrell is third in the Sun Belt in assists per game.
- The Mavericks have held their opponents to 65 points or less in each of the five victories during the win streak.
Series History
Appalachian is 0-9 against UTA, but the past three matchups have been tight, as each game has been decided by five points or less. Earlier this season, the Mountaineers had the Mavericks on the ropes but fell in double overtime, 99-94. Ashley
Polacek scored a career-high 26 points with five assists, while Lainey Gosnell notched a season-high 19 points.
What's Next
App State will have a three-game road trip starting with Coastal Carolina next Saturday, Feb. 16 at 2 p.m.
