WNIT First Round: Appalachian State Women’s Basketball @ UNC-Wilmington

The Lady Mountaineers were able to force their up tempo style of play UNC-Wilmington, forcing nineteen turnovers on their way to the program’s first ever WNIT win. Appalachian scored 22 points off of those turnovers and also outrebounded a much bigger Seahawk team by a 38-28 margin. The Mountaineers were also crisp passing the ball with 24 assists on 32 made baskets and scored 48 of their 79 points in the paint.

Five Mountaineers scored in double digits led by 16 points from Anna Freeman, who also grabbed eight rebounds and dished out eight assists. Kelsey Sharkey scored eleven points and added a game high twelve rebounds. Freshman Katie Mallow earned her first carrer start and went 5/7 from the field, knocking down all three of her three point attempts for 13 points in only 19 minutes of action. Courtney Freeman and “TC” Weldon also added 10 points apiece. The Mountaineers will face NC State on Saturday afternoon at Reynolds Coliseum.

Appalachian State Women’s Basketball @ UNC-Wilmington (WNIT)

Appalachian State will play UNC-Wilmington in the first round of the WNIT. The only common opponent between the two schools was Georgia State, who Appalachian beat easily in November 2011. The Seahawks played Georgia State three times this season, winning all three, by 3, 10, and 7 points. Appalachian has a slightly higher RPI at 70, compared to UNCW who is ranked at 77, but will be on the road for the first round. North Carolina State is the likely opponent for the winner.