BOONE, N.C. - The App State women's basketball team (7-7, 0-4 SBC) will close its four-game homestand with a 1 p.m. clash against Southern Miss on Saturday. The game will be the fourth game between the Mountaineers and Lady Eagles this millennium and will be available to stream on ESPN+.
Fans will be able to play Basketball Bingo for a chance to win one of three prizes during the game and are encouraged to stick around after for postgame autographs. Saturday's game is also a JMKC Bring A Friend game. JMKC members are invited to bring one friend, age 12 or under, for free. JMKC members can show their JMKC credential at the Southwest entrance, or email proof of membership to the App State ticket office for free admission.
Last Time Out
App State fell short to Coastal Carolina, 69-53, despite outscoring CCU in the second half on Wednesday. Junior
Daisia Mitchell was the Mountaineers' top scorer, netting 15 points to mark her 10th game this season in double-figures. Matching her season high of 13 points for a third game as well as grabbing a team and season high 11 rebounds, senior
Elena Pericic recorded a double-double. Pericic also dished out a team high four assists for the Black and Gold.
Rankings Report
Mitchell and sophomore
Jayden McBride remain App State's top scorers, averaging 11.3 and 10.3 points per game, respectively. Smith continues her reign as the Sun Belt's leader in assist/turnover ratio (2.33), ranking 48th nationally in the category, and stands third in the league in assists per game (4.1). Additionally, Smith leads the team in rebounds, averaging 6.1 per game, as well as steals, averaging 2.1 per contest.
Through 14 games this winter, the Mountaineers lead the league and rank 34th nationally in scoring defense (56.3). App State ranks third in the Sun Belt in assist/turnover ratio (0.99), assists per game (14.6), field goal percentage (44.0%), and rebound margin (6.5).
In league-only rankings, App State is the Sun Belt's leader in free throw percentage (79.1%) and ranks third in the Sun Belt in scoring defense (66.0).
Series History vs. Southern Miss
The Mountaineers and Lady Eagles have only met on three occasions prior to Saturday's contest. Though Southern Miss leads the series, 2-1, App State registered its first program victory over the Lady Eagles, 76-56 in Hattiesburg, Miss. on Jan. 4, 2025.
Four Mountaineers netted double-figures, led by Pericic and
J'Mani Ingram, who both scored 17 for the Black and Gold. Pericic provided the perimeter spark, finishing 5-of-6 from 3-point range.
Zada Porter led App State on the glass with eight boards, while
Eleyana Tafisi dished out a team-high nine assists for the Black and Gold. The Mountaineers held the Lady Eagles to eight offensive rebounds, four fastbreak points, and a 3-point percentage of 28.6%.
Scouting Southern Miss
Southern Miss enters Saturday's contest 10-5 on the season and 3-1 in conference play after defeating Troy, 98-95, in Hattiesburg. The Lady Eagles, who stand fifth in the league, received six votes in this week's
CollegeInsider.com Mid-Major Top-25 poll. Early in conference play, Southern Miss posted victories over South Alabama (Dec. 18) and Louisiana (Dec. 20), before opening the new year with a 91-83 loss to Arkansas State.
Five Lady Eagles average double-figures, led by graduate student guard Jakayla Johnson, who averages 13.3 points per game. Graduate student forward Sakyia White leads the league and ranks 46th in the NCAA in free throw percentage (86.7%). White is also Southern Miss' top rebounder, grabbing 8.4 boards per contest. Standing third in the league in 3-point percentage (38.8%), 3-pointers per game (2.67), and assist/turnover ratio (1.85) is senior point guard Carley Keats.
The Lady Eagles stand second in the league and 25th nationally in scoring offense (80.3). Additionally, the Lady Eagles rank second in the league in field goal percentage (44.6%). Southern Miss stands among the NCAA's top-50 in 3-pointers per game (8.6) and 3-point percentage (35.2%).
With four conference clashes under their belts, the Lady Eagles lead the Sun Belt in field goal percentage (47.2%), stand second in free throw percentage (76.3%) and scoring offense (85.3), and rank third in defensive rebounds (28.5). Johnson is the league's top scorer in league-only outings, averaging 24.0 points per game. White leads the SBC in field goal percentage (69.4%) and checks in at third in the SBC in rebounds, averaging 12.3 per conference clash.
On the Horizon
The Mountaineers will tip off a four-game road stretch in Norfolk, Va. with a 6:30 p.m. clash against Old Dominion on Jan. 14. Fans will be able to tune in on ESPN+.
