Appalachian State won its second ever WNIT game and first ever game over North Carolina State with a 66-62 win in the second round of the WNIT. North Carolina State jumped out to a seven point lead on the strength of Kody Burke, who had 17 of the Wolfpack’s first 23 points. However the story of the game was what Appalachian was able to do to NC State in the second half. The defensive pressure increased and NC State was careless with the basketball, and the Mountianeers started winning more of those “50-50” balls. The Mountaineers shot 58% from the field in the second half. NC State, who scored eight points from the free throw line in the first half was limited to only six attempts from the charity stripe in the second half, making only three of them.

Despite trailing by six at halftime, the way the Mountaineers forced their game in the second half was very telling. It was obvious the Mountianeers were going to win the game after the first media timeout in the second half. Even though the Mountaineers still trailed by four points, you could tell that NC State was being outhustled by the Mountaineers.  It wasn’t anything you could see in a box score, but the energy the Mountaineers brought to the court was definitely higher in the second half.

Anna Freeman had another one of her outstanding performaces, scoring 26 points, most of them coming in the second half. Anna also added seven rebounds and six steals. Katie Mallow scored 14 points in her second career start in as many games. Maryah Sydnor added 9 points and 6 rebounds.

Next up for the Mountaineers is the winner of Richmond and Virginia, who play on Monday Night. That game will most likely be played on the road, sometime between Wednesday and Friday.