Defend the prowl

Defense against a high scoring Panthers team will be key for the Mountaineers to beat a Georgia State team that swept them (2-0) last season. The Panthers are averaging a little over 70 points a game and if the Mountaineers can’t stop them, the game could become a blowout quickly.

Coming off of a two-game losing streak, App State needs to defend consistently and cannot let Georgia State take a large lead and stay in the game. The Mountaineers have experienced different ways of losing over their last two games, starting off slow to Little Rock, making it difficult for them to come back. Against Arkansas State, they started off fast, but ultimately stumbled towards a blowout loss.

Keeping the defense consistent and strong will be the key for a Mountaineers team giving up 70.5 points a game, the same amount the Panthers average. Junior center Mia Marshall is coming off of a 10-rebound game, seven of which came on the offensive end, and the team will be looking to her for more of the same.

Take care of the ball

Turnovers have been one of the struggles for the Mountaineers all season. App State committed 27 turnovers against Arkansas State — way too many if they are expecting to compete in a ball game.

The Mountaineers are averaging 19.3 turnovers a game, while the Panthers are forcing 19.4 a game with a positive turnover margin of 2.2 and 11 steals a game. App State must take care of the ball to become a threat in the Sun Belt once again.

No place like home

Going 0-2 over the last week on the road, coming back home will be a key factor for the Mountaineers. App State has two home games this week before heading back on the road and it is the perfect opportunity to get back to a .500 conference record.

Four of the Mountaineers’ five wins have come in Boone and while a good team needs to win on the road, playing at home gives them good confidence.

Story by: Jason Huber, Sports Reporter