BOONE, N.C. - Appalachian State University women's basketball (4-7, 1-1 SBC) returns to the Holmes Center on Thursday in its conference home opener at 5 p.m. against UT Arlington (6-6, 1-1 SBC).
Gameday Central
Promotions Page
Follow the Mountaineers: Facebook | Instagram | Twitter
@AppStateWBB vs. @UTAMAVS | January 2nd | Boone, N.C. | 5 p.m.
Live Video (Subscription Required) | Live Stats | Live Radio
About the Mountaineers
Last Time Out
The Apps fell in a physical contest on Saturday at UL Lafayette, 60-51. Turnovers and fouls plagued the Mountaineers as 50 fouls were called while the Rajin' Cajuns shot 28-for-41 from the free throw line to Appalachian's 6-for-9 performance from the charity stripe. App State also committed 24 turnovers that led to 24 points. Kaila Craven scored a career-high 17 points on six field goals to lead the team on offense.
Moving the Rock
• App State has moved the ball better since starting 1-6 averaging 11 assists over the previous four games (3-1). In the first seven games. The Mountaineers dished out less than 10 assists per game.
• In the seven losses this season, Appalachian is averaging just 8.7 assists per game as opposed to the 12.8 helpers in the four wins. The Black and Gold had just five assists at ULL on Saturday.
• Also, Appalachian is assisting on near 50 percent (12.8/26.5) of its field goals in its four wins, compared to just 41.1 percent in the seven losses
APPALACHIAN STATE WOMEN'S BASKETBALL
Moving the Rock
Category Wins Losses
Points Per Game 73.0 59.4
Field Goal Percentage 45.0 32.4
Field Goals Per game 26.5 21.1
Assists Per Game 12.5 8.7
Pct. of FG Assisted On 48.3 41.2
Stingy Defense
• Through the first two conference games of the season, App State ranks first in field goal pct. defense limiting opponents to 32.4 percent shooting from the field.
• Appalachian has also allowed the fifth fewest points in the Sun Belt, giving up 57.0 points heading into Thursday's contest.
• Posing one of the best defenses in the league, the Mountaineers have prevented opponents from shooting the three, limiting the opposition to 15.4 percent shooting from beyond the arc..
APPALACHIAN STATE WOMEN'S BASKETBALL
STINGY DEFENSE
Category Conference Non-Conference
Points Per Game Allowed 57.0 71.9
FG Pct. Defense 32.4 40.6
3-point FG Pct. Defense 15.4 32.0
Five Things to Watch vs. UT Arlington
• Joi Jones is averaging a team-high 16 points per game on 44.2 percent shooting at the Holmes Center compared to the 6.4 ppg on the road. Look for Jones to have a big game against the Mavericks.
• UT Arlington is shooting 45.5 percent from the field through the first two conferences, ranking second in the Sun Belt. App State is first in field goal percentage defense at an impressive 32.4 percent. See if App State can stop the Mavericks from getting a rhythm going.
• The Mavericks are forcing opponents to turn the ball over an average of 23 times in their six wins while just 16 in their six defeats. App State committed 24 turnovers in the setback to ULL. Watch for the Apps to make it an emphasis to take care of the ball on Thursday.
• Appalachian has been known to get off to slow starts, scoring more points in the second half in eight of 11 games. See if the Apps can get off to a quicker start against a Maverick squad that has outscored their opposition by 38 points in the first half.
• The nine free throws attempted at ULL on Saturday was a season low for an App State team that went into the contest averaging 24.3 free throws per game. Anticipate the Apps to get back to their aggressive ways in getting to the free throw line.
Scouting the Mavericks (6-6, 1-1 SBC)
• UT Arlington is 6-6 overall and 1-1 in the Sun Belt after convincingly defeating Georgia Southern, 70-31, on Saturday. The Mavericks fell to Georgia State, 68-63, in their conference opener.
• UT Arlington is eighth in the conference in scoring (58.6 ppg), however, allows the second fewest points in the conference at 54.4 ppg.
• Cierra Johnson leads the team turning in 10.3 ppg while Rebekah VanDijk is corralling a team-high 7.3 rpg.
• The Mavericks are 3-2 on the road this season, winning the past two away from their home floor.
• UT Arlington is 2-0 all-time against the Apps. Both contests were close however, as each contest were decided by 10 points or less.
Up Next: Texas State (7-5, 2-0 SBC)
App State will welcome the first-place Bobcats on Saturday with a 1 p.m. tip-off in the Holmes Center.
