The App State women’s basketball team lost 80-51 to No. 23 West Virginia University Thursday, struggling to keep pace after halftime.

App State stayed close in the first half, and senior guard Emma Smith helped by scoring 11 points in the half. The Mountaineers moved the ball well through the opening quarter, creating open jump shots and getting into the paint, which kept the offense balanced. 

West Virginia dominated going forward, taking control in the second and third quarters. The Mountaineers outscored App State 27–16 in the second quarter and 19–6 in the third, creating a 40-point swing that widened the gap. App State scored only six points in the third quarter, when West Virginia’s defensive pressure increased and limited App State’s shot opportunities.

Smith led App State with 17 points. Sophomore forward Feryal Defne Atli scored 8 points, and freshman forward Addie Biel scored 6 points off the bench. App State struggled with turnovers and could not keep up with West Virginia’s pace and dominant defense.