BOONE, N.C. - After playing seven straight games on the road, App State women's basketball is back home on Thursday at 6:30 p.m. for its Sun Belt home opener against UTA.
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Previewing the Matchup
App State is taking on a formidable UTA team that boasts the conference's leading scorer in Marie Benson (18.2 ppg), while Stanley is sixth in the league in the category. The Mountaineers have come close to knocking off UTA in the last four matchups, with each game being decided by seven points or less, including a 97-96 overtime thriller in Arlington last season. UTA is one of two teams (Little Rock) App State has yet to beat in the Sun Belt. Ashley
Polacek (15.5 ppg) and
Lainey Gosnell (13.0 ppg) found success against the Mavs last season, shooting a combined 57.1 percent from the field through the two contests and averaged 28.5 points between the pair.
About the Mountaineers
Last Time Out
App State held the high-powered Troy offense to just 33 points in the first half, but a 31-11 third quarter in Troy's favor doomed the Black and Gold.
Ashley Polacek poured in a season and game-best 22 points on nine buckets.
Bayley Plummer
posted a game-high 11 rebounds.
Promotions
The first 50 fans will receive a free promo jersey, while they will also receive a free rally towel.
What to Watch for
- Through the first two conference games, the Mountaineers have shot 35 free throws. UTA is allowing opponents to shoot 17.8 foul shots per game this season. See if App can get to the line.
- UTA is 1-5 this season when it has more turnovers than assists. See if App can turn over the Mavs on Thursday.
- In the three home games this season,
Pre Stanley is averaging 22.3 points per game on 53.7 percent shooting from the floor and a 22-26 showing from the free throw line. See if the junior can dominate at home.
- UTA has allowed the third-most offensive rebounds this season. See if App State can crash the offensive glass after grabbing just nine offensive rebounds against Troy.
Scouting UTA
- UTA is receiving votes in the CollegeInsider.com Mid-Major Top 25 poll. The Mavs are one of three teams with Coastal Carolina (21st) and Troy (43 votes) receiving recognition.
- UTA is coming off a 2-0 start to league action following a 65-58 over defending Sun Belt Tournament champion, Little Rock.
- UTSA transfer, Marie Benson, scored a game-high 25 points. She was named the Sun Belt Player of the Week coming into the game.
- Benson leads the Mavs and the Sun Belt in scoring at a clip of 18.2 ppg.
- Katie Ferrell (6.4 rpg) and Benson (6.4 rpg) lead the team in rebounding, while Ferrell is dishing out 4.5 apg, which is second in the league.
- UTA is second in the conference shooting 43 percent from the field.
- Also, the Mavericks are first in the conference averaging 16.5 assists per game.
- UTA is coming off a tough non-conference slate, facing the likes of five Power Five programs, highlighted by a road win over Kansas State.
- The Mavericks are 36th in the nation in assists per game.
Up Next
App State will look for a third straight win over Texas State on Saturday at 2 p.m. to conclude the weekend.
