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Mountaineers Down Cougars in Quarterfinals

Anna Freeman recorded her tenth double-double of her senior season with 23 points and 10 rebounds against the Cougars. Photo by Tyler Buckwell and courtesy of Appalachian Sports Information
Anna Freeman recorded her tenth double-double of her senior season with 23 points and 10 rebounds against the Cougars. Photo by Tyler Buckwell and courtesy of Appalachian Sports Information

March 9, 2013. ASHEVILLE — A late second-half surge propelled Appalachian State University women’s basketball past College of Charleston to a 74-60 final in the quarterfinals of the Southern Conference Tournament on Saturday afternoon at Kimmel Arena in Asheville, N.C.

The Mountaineers (20-9, 13-7 SoCon) downed the Cougars (15-15, 11-9 SoCon) for the third time this season and the tenth-straight in the series.

Appalachian finished the game on a 15-4 run to pull away from fifth-seeded College of Charleston in a tight quarterfinal matchup at the 2013 Southern Conference Women’s Basketball Tournament.

The Mountaineers led the majority of the contest but couldn’t put the Cougars away until a late second half surge. A Jazz Green jumper pulled the Cougars within three (59-56) with 6:41 to play, but the Mountaineers would control the show from there.

A Raven Gary jumper off a steal began the Mountaineers’ game-ending run, as Anna Freeman put up four of the Mountaineer’s next five points to reach their first double-digit lead of the afternoon (66-56) with 2:57 left.

Cathryn Hardy would drop four straight to pull the Cougars back within six points, but a Bria Huffman jumper silenced CofC’s attempt. Maryah Sydnor hit four straight free throws in the final minute to return Appalachian to a double-digit advantage, while A. Freeman sealed the win with a pair of free-throws as just 13 seconds remained.

A. Freeman scored a game-high 23 points to lead four Mountaineers in double figures, adding 10 rebounds for the her tenth double-double of the season. Sydnor added 17 points, along with Gary’s 14 and Courtney Freeman’s 11.

College of Charleston was paced by Alyssa Frye’s 12 points along Latisha Harris, who fell in double figures with 11, while Jill Brown recorded a game-high eight assists.

With the win, the Mountaineers advance to Sunday’s semifinal round for the fourth straight season, where they will face No. 1 seed Chattanooga (27-3). Tipoff is set for noon at U.S. Cellular Center, and will be broadcast on ESPN3.

GAME NOTES: Appalachian State shot 49 percent (24-for-49) from the floor to CofC’s 28.6 percent (22-for-77), and the Mountaineers pulled down 46 rebounds to Charleston’s 36. Appalachian led by as many as 14 points with 13 seconds remaining, while CofC led by one point in the first period (13:15). The Apps committed 25 turnovers in the contest, but shot an impressive 88.5 percent (23-for-26) from the line.