ELON, N.C. ? Brittany Mixon poured in a game-high and career-high 25 points while hauling in a contest-best 12 rebounds, lifting Appalachian State to a 63-59 Southern Conference women’s basketball victory over Elon Tuesday night at Alumni Gym.
The game featured nine ties and five lead changes. The Phoenix (1-13 overall, 0-7 SoCon) erupted to a 16-7 lead on an old-fashioned three-point play by Urysla Cotton with 10:57 left in the opening period. The Mountaineers (2-11, 1-4) responded with a 20-11 run to tie the score at 27-27 on a three-point bucket by Sam Ramirez with 40 seconds left before the break.
Tiara Gause’s fast-break steal and layup with three seconds remaining in the frame gave Elon a 29-27 halftime edge. Appalachian State exploded out of the locker room for an 18-9 surge ? powered by 10 points by Mixon ? to fashion a 45-38 advantage on a basket by Mixon with 10:59 remaining in the contest.
The Phoenix came back with a 12-3 spurt to go ahead 50-48 on an inside shot by Cotton with 4:37 to play. The Mountaineers answered with a 15-7 run to claim a 63-57 edge on a pair of free throws by Brittney Spencer with 20 seconds left. Elon’s Courtney Medley knocked down a pair of charity shots with four ticks remaining to decide the final score.
Appalachian State bested the Phoenix in rebounds (41-35), turnovers (20-21), points off turnovers (14-11) and assists (18-15). Elon earned edges in steals (14-12), points in the paint (34-32) and points off second chances (10-8).
The Phoenix fired 39.3 percent (22 of 56) from the field ? 33.3 percent (4 of 12) from downtown ? and 78.6 percent (11 of 14) from the free throw line. Meanwhile, the Mountaineers shot 39.1 percent (25 of 64) from the floor ? 36.4 percent (4 of 11) from long distance ? and 81.8 percent (9 of 11) from the charity stripe.
Ramirez (14 points), Charmene Means (10 points, five assists, three steals), Canesha Edwards (10 rebounds) and Spencer (game-high seven assists) all turned in key performances for Appalachian State.
Cotton posted 15 points and 11 boards to forge her fourth double-double performance of the season. Amber Wall (15 points, eight rebounds, career-high seven steals), Medley (15 points), Gause (career-high five steals) and Tiffany Davis (five assists) also led Elon.
The Phoenix will begin a three-game road stretch with a visit to Wofford at 3 p.m. Saturday. The Mountaineers will return home to host the College of Charleston at 1 p.m. Saturday.