Boone, NC – App State Women’s Basketball Team Falls Short Against Wofford
On Saturday, the Appalachian State University women’s basketball team faced a tough match against the Wofford Terriers, losing 71-63 on the road. Despite the defeat, head coach Alaura Sharp noted significant improvements in the team’s overall execution and effort during the game.
Game Overview
Appalachian State, known for their determination, demonstrated resilience as they fought back after Wofford built an early lead. Coach Sharp commented on the team’s fight, stating, “They got a large lead and we showed some fight to get back and cut it to one possession.” She emphasized the importance of teamwork and continuous improvement on both offense and defense.
Top Performers
Senior Zada Porter excelled for the Mountaineers, contributing a career-high 16 points off the bench. Porter’s performance, along with that of fellow senior Mara Neira, proved crucial as they combined to score four of the team’s five three-pointers. In addition, senior Emily Carver stood out with 10 points and a team-high six rebounds. Another noteworthy performance came from senior Eleyana Tafisi, who led the team with six assists.
Game Dynamics
Throughout the match, the teams exchanged leads three times and were tied on five occasions, indicating a closely contested game. The Mountaineers focused on scoring in the paint, tallying 30 points compared to Wofford’s 18. Moreover, App State’s bench production was strong, generating 31 points, and they managed to record eight steals while allowing only four to their opponents.
Quarter Breakdown
The game started with junior Elena Pericic putting the Mountaineers on the board with a layup, but Wofford quickly established an 8-2 lead. The Mountaineers responded with critical three-point plays from Tafisi and Carver, tying the game at eight. As the first quarter closed, the scores were all tied at 18.
In the second quarter, Neira made a significant impact by hitting back-to-back three-pointers, which narrowed Wofford’s lead. Nevertheless, despite efforts from Pericic and the team, Wofford led 38-28 at halftime.
App State came out strong in the third quarter, outscoring Wofford 21-14. They capitalized on turnovers and executed an impressive 9-0 scoring run, bringing the score down to 46-42. The Mountaineers entered the fourth quarter trailing by only three points, 52-49.
Final Moments of the Game
In the final quarter, Porter emerged as a key player, scoring nine of her total points. A jumper by Porter and a three-pointer kept the Mountaineers close at 57-56. However, despite their efforts, including a late layup by Porter and points from Carver and Hege, App State could not overcome Wofford’s lead, concluding the game at 71-63.
Upcoming Matches
The Mountaineers are set to face the College of Charleston on December 17, followed by a matchup against Mercer in Macon, GA on December 21. Their next home game will open Sun Belt action against Arkansas State on December 29 at 2 PM in Boone.
The App State women’s basketball team continues to display determination, and their recent performance suggests a bright future as they move into their upcoming matches.
