App State women’s basketball opened up their 2016-17 campaign with a 77-51 exhibition win over Coker College using a 24-7 second quarter run in the first of two exhibition games before opening up the season in Chicago next week against DePaul.
Starting off slow in the first quarter, App State allowed Coker to shoot 46.2 percent from the field. After Coker was able to hold the lead at six points early in the second quarter, the Mountaineers responded with 16 straight points, taking a 42-22 lead into halftime.
The Apps would go on to outscore Coker 35-29 in the second half, but were able to have 14 players see the court, which was something this young team was especially focused on coming into the season.
“Each player brings her specific area of expertise, and it is just really important for us to play with each other and know the styles of each player,” senior guard Madi Story said.
Three App State players reached double figures, including a 22 point performance from Story, who led all scorers. Freshman center Bayley Plummer also made her presence felt, recording a double-double in her first time suiting up for the Black and Gold.
“Well obviously I was a little nervous because this was my first college game, but I relied on my teammates and it fell into place tonight,” Plummer said. “The pace of play was definitely faster, but I thought the game went really long.”
Even though Story started every game this past season, she has been dealing with a high ankle sprain, so head coach Angel Elderkin gave her a large amount of minutes to help get her back into shape.
Scoring 12 points of her own on the night, junior forward Katelyn Doub also has had nagging injuries in the past, but she is hoping to stay healthy and get ready for an expanded role this season.
“This past week we have been working on me playing the three and the four, and I have enjoyed it,” Doub said. “I just need to get more comfortable with the ball-handling, but it’s there for the three.”
Getting ready for their first regular season game next Friday in Chicago against nationally ranked DePaul, the Apps have been focusing their attention on their three point defense as well as being able to get to the free throw line.
The Apps succeeded in getting to the line 38 times, which was 18 more than Coker gave up on average their previous season, but the Mountaineers were only able to knock down 23 of them.
“I am really challenging my team because of the lack of 3-point shooting to make up for the three-ball at the free throw line,” Elderkin said. “I love the fact that we are attacking, but we missed 15 free throws, so we have to convert.”
Knocking down six 3-pointers, the Cobras were able to get off 13 attempts against the Mountaineers. With her team facing one of the most prolific 3-point shooting teams in the country in only a week, Elderkin will definitely look to stress the importance of defending the perimeter before the regular season opens up.
App State will be back in action for their second exhibition game on Monday at 7 p.m. against Lenoir Rhyne at Holmes Convocation Center.
Story by: Tyler Hotz, Sports Reporter