BOONE, N.C. - Appalachian State University women's basketball will finish 2016 looking to get to .500 in Sun Belt play against Texas State on Saturday in Strahan Coliseum at 3 p.m. ET. 

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@AppStateWBB at @TXStateWBB | Saturday, Dec. 31 | 3 p.m. (ET) | San Marcos | Strahan Coliseum
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About the Mountaineers

Last Time Out
The Mountaineers fell in the Sun Belt opener at UTA 74-63 in a valiant effort in Arlington. App State fell behind early, 16-2, before climbing all the way back to close the gap to two at halftime. Appalachian would take a 61-60 lead in the fourth quarter before the Mavs finished the game on a 14-2 run. Bria Carter registered her second double-double of the season with 10 points and a game-high 10 boards, while Joi Jones paced the team with 12 points. 

What to Watch for
 • The bench for Appalachian has stepped up over the past two games averaging 24 points and 21.5 rebounds over the last two games while shooting 45.5 percent from the floor. See if the bench keep up the play against TXST.

 • For her career, Jones is averaging 14 points, 6.3 rebounds and three assists per game while shooting 46.7 percent from the field and 86 percent from the line against Texas State. In addition,  Madi Story averaged 20 points last season on 56.5 percent shooting from the field including a 31-point performance against TXST at home. See if the duo can bounce back after a foul-plagued game and scoring just 16 points combined at UTA. 

 • The Bobcats have averaged nearly eight 3-pointers over the last four games including 13 against Coastal Carolina yesterday. See if the Sun Belt's second-best 3-point field goal defense can slow down TXST's 3-point shooting.

 • App State has the highest pace at 79.8 according to Natstat.com while Texas State's 65.4 is the third slowest in the league. Anticipate on the Apps pushing the tempo. 

 • Appalachian has improved in the rebounding column winning the battle on the boards over the last two games with a +19 rebounding margin overall. See if the Apps can continue to crash the glass. 

Scouting the Bobcats (6-6, 1-0 SBC | San Marcos | Zenarae Antoine)

• The Bobcats are 6-6 and riding a three-game win streak after opening up Sun Belt action with an 83-62 win over Coastal Carolina on Thursday.

• TXST was led by four players in double figures including a season-high 17 points from Kaitlin Walla. Ti'Aira Pitts led the team in rebounds with nine while scoring 10.

• No player scores in double-figures but  seven players are averaging at least five points, as Taeler Deer leads the team averaging 9.1 ppg.

• Ericka May leads the team in rebounds at five boards per game.

• Texas State boasts the longest winning streak in the conference, while the 83 points and 21-point win is a league high after the first night. 

• TXST displays a strong 3-point game as it has made at least five treys in seven of 12 games, including a season-high 13 treys against the Chanticleers.

• Texas State is 4-2 this season at the Strahan Coliseum.

• The Bobcats are led by sixth-year head coach Zenarae Antoine. 

• TXST was picked to finish sixth in the Sun Belt. 

Series History

• The Apps and Bobcats are tied 2-2 in the all-time series.

• The home team has won all four meetings thus far.

• Appalachian's 19-point victory and 90 points in the win at the Holmes Center last season was the highest in the series.

• Madi Story fired in her first 30-point performance with a career-high 31 points in the win at home against the Bobcats.

• The game may come down to who can take care of the ball, as in three of the four games, the team with the fewest turnovers has gone on to win. 

• In addition, the Bobcats have yet to beat the Mountaineers in back-to-back games. 

What's Next

App State will host Arkansas State next Thursday at 7 p.m. in the Holmes Center for the Sun Belt home opener.