App State women’s basketball welcomed the Carolina University Bruins into Holmes Convocation Center Monday, winning 82-31.
The Black and Gold started this game with a quick 9-0 run, with help from sophomore forward Feryal Defne Atli, senior guard Emily Hege and sophomore guard Jayden McBride. The Bruins clapped back with two quick buckets from guard Dearia Page and guard MeiLani Patterson, bringing the game within five points.
However, the Mountaineers went on a 10-0 run until just under three minutes in the first period. The Bruins answered with a 3-pointer and a mid-range jumper yet the Black and Gold led by 11 heading into the second period.
The second period started out similarly, with App State trading buckets with the Bruins. The Mountaineers rocketed off for a 16-0 run with notable contributions from McBride, freshman forward Addie Biel, junior guard Daisia Mitchell and senior forward Elena Pericic. The Black and Gold outscored the Bruins by 19 in the period taking a commanding 30-point lead heading into the second half.
Coming out of the locker room the Black and Gold continued to dominate. The Mountaineers consistently strung together short runs, which gave them the opportunity to consistently maintain their lead. The lead continued to mount as the Black and Gold rattled off an 11-0 run as the clock wound down to two minutes left in the period. This run came off the back of Mitchell and Biel. The duo torched the Bruins going off for 16 and 17 points respectively, along with a couple of steals from Mitchell. Increasing the Black and Gold’s lead to 40 points going into the final period.
This on court dominance continued for the Mountaineers firing off a quick 9-0 run to start the final period. This was App State’s last run of the night as they traded buckets with the Bruins for the rest of the game. While the Mountaineers offense was the star of the game, the defense was not to be overlooked, as the Black and Gold had 37 defensive rebounds and 8 steals
The Mountaineers will stay in Boone over the new year and welcome Marshall University to the convocation center Saturday. Tipoff is at 2 p.m. and the game will be streamed on ESPN+.
