KNOXVILLE, Tenn. - Madi Story scored a game-high 21 points, but it wasn't enough as Appalachian State University women's basketball (4-6) suffered a 92-66 defeat to Tennessee (4-6) Wednesday evening at Thompson-Boling Arena.
Story eclipsed the 20-point mark for the sixth time in her career while tonight's outing was a career-best on the road for the junior.
Joi Jones rounded out the leading scorers with her seventh game of the season reaching at least 15 points. Jones also recorded a team-best seven boards in the process.
Q Murray scored six of her eight points on a pair of trifectas in the first 3:28 of the game to help Appalachian hit four of its first six shots and take a 10-6 lead. After UT had tied the game 12-all, the Black and Gold put together a 10-4 run over a 2:25 span to capture their largest lead of the game at six, 22-16. Story scored six of the points while Cydni Cole and Ashley Bassett-Smith both chipped in with buckets.
The Mountaineers started fast against the Vols (5-4) scoring 24 points on a blistering 73.3 percent (11-for-15) in the first quarter to jump out to a 24-20 lead. App State scored its most points in the first quarter this season, and the shooting performance was the highest of any quarter in 10 games.
From that point on, the Vols clamped down on defense against the Apps over the next two quarters, dooming the Mountaineers' chances for a win. Appalachian was held to 22 points and shot below 20 percent while committing nine of its 15 turnovers in the second and third frames. In the first and fourth quarters, Appalachian outscored UT, 44-43, shot 58.1 percent from the floor and turned the ball over just six times.
Appalachian performed well from the free throw line, tying a season-high 77.8 percent (14-18) clip with Story hitting a team-best six free throws. Bria Carter and Murray both led the team in assists with three apiece. Four players recorded at least five boards with Bayley Plummer,Story and Bassett-Smith following Jones with five boards each.
Five players scored in double figures with Alexa Middleton scoring a UT-high 20 points off the bench while Jamie Nared notched a double-double with 15 points and 10 boards.
App State will have six days off before UNC Asheville visits the High Country for the non-conference finale on Wednesday, Dec. 21 at 1 p.m. in the Holmes Center.
Quotes
Angel Elderkin
(Opening Statement)
“I really like the way that our team started the game. That has been one of the things we have really been working on. I thought we came out and really battled in that first quarter. In the second quarter, the shots that we were making in the first didn't go down. It led to some transition baskets. We know as a group, we have to take some of the moments in this game that were very good and build on them. We need to go back and look at our transition defense and our rebounding. We need to improve as we move forward.”
(On how Appalachian State played against Tennessee's defense in the first quarter)
“Part of our game plan was to get everyone high. We know that they are really aggressive. So, we were worried more about passing the ball with them tonight. So, our game plan was to get everybody high, and really look to attack off the bounce.”
(On Appalachian State's defense throughout the game)
“I think when they went to the press defense, it slowed us down a little bit. When they were in the press defense, we didn't get a chance to set up our offense. So, we were taking quick shots off the press. That was one adjustment I thought they made that disrupted us a little bit. Anytime we were able to get the ball set, we had really good shots.”
(On areas Appalachian State did well, and areas she feels that they can improve)
“I'll attribute their paint points to their transition points. When they're shooting layups, that is paint points. That was a lot of our transition defense. I thought that we missed a couple box-outs because we were rotating in penetration. One-on-one, I am really proud in the way our post players stepped up today.”
(On what it meant to be back in Knoxville at Thompson Boling Arena)
“It was a great feeling. Before the game, I went my old path. I didn't walk by Tennessee's bench. I walked where Tennessee comes out. Holly came over and she said, `you went the wrong way'. I said, `Yeah, I know, but is it bad luck?' Then, she just game me a really big hug. I saw the same security guards and the same people. I just needed to take that walk one more time.”
Madi Story
(On quick start in the first quarter of the game)
“The biggest thing was having the opportunity to play against Tennessee. It was huge. We talked about it before the game; it's not our house to defend, but while we're on the court, we need to respect it. I think that was just the mindset of our team coming out. We just wanted to give it all we had. We wanted to really try and work as a team, because it was a great opportunity. There is so much history here. There have been so many great coaches and players here. I think the biggest thing was that we didn't want to pass up our opportunity.”
Joi Jones
(On what it means to play for Coach Elderkin and wear the `We back Pat' patches on Appalachian State's uniforms)
“It means a lot. Coach Angel is inspiration. Pat Summitt is inspiration. To follow under Coach Angel's lead, and know how legendary Pat Summitt was here, we had a lot to play for. We played for more than just ourselves. It meant a lot to us.”
(On the differences of Appalachian State's performance throughout the game)
“We just got back to our offense. We shied away from it in the second and third quarter. That is why we weren't knocking down shots. It was about us getting back to the plays that Coach Angel drew up. We executed the plays.”
