The Appalachian Online - Women upset by rival WCU, 80-71

We've Moved!

Now visit us at: www.TheAppalachianOnline.com

Old Archives will contine to be served from this address.

Women upset by rival WCU, 80-71

Tuesday, 07 March 2006

Jeyhoun Allebaugh
Appalachian’s Danielle Edwards blows by Western’s April Parker in the second round of the SoCon tournment. Edwards finished with two points in a tough one-for eight performance.

by DONNY WISOR
Sports Reporter

NORTH CHARLESTON, S.C. – Appalachian State University was sent home from the Southern Conference women’s tournament early as the team dropped its quarterfinal game against Western Carolina University 80-71.

Appalachian came into the game with high hopes, despite their two losses to WCU this year.

As the game started, ASU came out with intensity. Right out of the gate, ASU took a quick 4-0 lead and looked to be unstoppable.

WCU managed to keep it close, but was out-played and out-hustled on every possession.

As the game continued, however, the Mountaineers slowly began to lose fuel and the Catamounts took full advantage.

“Western wanted it more than us,” senior Kiki Conyers said about Western’s tough play.

Appalachian State was down 37-34 at halftime, but came out in the second half and managed to put together a 6-0 run. Jocelyn Wyatt scored four points on the run.

The run was put to a halt when Western scored a basket and then stole the ensuing inbound play from ASU and quickly scored again.

After shooting 55 percent from beyond the three-point line in the first half, ASU went 0-10 in the second half.

An emotional Wyatt said her legs were tired and they were not taking the best shots.

“We settled for outside shots,” Wyatt said.

Even on the inside, Western dominated. They pulled down 15 offensive rebounds, most of them after key defensive stops by ASU.

Appalachian State junior Danielle Edwards, a player who is usually dominant in the paint, was held to 1-8 from the field.

Free throws were also taken full advantage of by Western Carolina. WCU hit 83 percent from the line (30-36).

Coming down the stretch Appalachian was able to capitalize on some momentum as it pulled within one point with about 1:05 left to go in the game.

However, WCU, who started three freshmen, played like seasoned veterans in the last minute.

WCU put together a 12-4 run in the final minute to put the Mountaineers away for the third time this season.

“Down the stretch when it got a little tight, I was proud that our players remained confident and poised,” WCU head coach Kellie Harper said.

With the loss, Appalachian State said goodbye to four seniors in Conyers, Wyatt and forwards Eboni Kirby and Natalie Thomas. Conyers was an All-SoCon selection this season.

Conyers finished her career with 18 points, followed closely by Wyatt with 17.

The Mountaineers finished the season with a 15-13 record overall, its first winning season
since 1996-97.