Get ready for an exciting clash as the App State women's basketball team gears up for their Sun Belt opener! The Mountaineers are set to take on Marshall in a highly anticipated match-up.
On Wednesday, the team will travel to Huntington, W. Va., for an 11 a.m. tip-off. This game, available on ESPN+, marks the third Education Day appearance for the Mountaineers this season.
Last time out, the team faced Clemson in a tough battle. Despite a strong first half, App State fell short, with a final score of 78-59. However, seniors Emma Smith and Emily Hege, along with sophomores Jayden McBride and Daisia Mitchell, combined for an impressive 48 points. Smith and McBride led the way with 13 points each, and Hege and McBride knocked down crucial 3-pointers. The Black and Gold defense held strong, limiting Clemson to just two offensive rebounds.
As the team enters conference play, Smith shines as a key player. She ranks third in the league for assist/turnover ratio and assists per game, and is also in the top five for steals and total assists. Smith's rebounding skills are also notable, averaging 5.6 boards per game. Mitchell continues to lead App State in scoring, closely followed by Smith and McBride.
App State's overall performance is impressive, ranking 40th nationally in field goal percentage and second in the Sun Belt for rebound margin. The team also excels in scoring defense, scoring margin, and 3-point percentage. Heading into Wednesday's game, App State is currently eighth in the Sun Belt team standings.
Now, let's talk about the series history with Marshall. This will be the 53rd meeting between the two teams, with a balanced record of 26-26. The last time they faced off was in the Sun Belt Tournament in March 2025, where App State narrowly lost to Marshall. In that game, Emily Carver and Mara Neira both scored 23 points, with Elena Pericic grabbing seven rebounds and Eleyana Tafisi dishing out seven assists.
During the 2024-25 regular season, App State and Marshall split their encounters. App State emerged victorious in Huntington but fell short in Boone.
Scouting Marshall, we find a strong team with a 9-3 record this season. They rank second in the Sun Belt standings behind Troy. After a setback in November, the Thundering Herd bounced back with an undefeated December as of Tuesday. Senior guard Timaya Lewis-Eutsey and freshman guard Olivia Olson lead the team in scoring, with Lewis-Eutsey also topping the league in free throws and free-throw percentage. She's a defensive force, ranking fifth nationally and leading the SBC in steals. Marshall's top rebounder is senior guard Blessing King, and senior guard Peyton Ilderton dishes out the most assists.
Marshall's defense is a force to be reckoned with, ranking 26th nationally in scoring defense. They also excel in steals, forced turnovers, and blocks per game. Additionally, they lead the conference in free-throw percentage.
And here's where it gets controversial... With both teams bringing their A-game, this clash promises to be a thrilling battle. Who will come out on top? Will App State's strong performance continue, or will Marshall's defensive prowess make the difference? Tune in to find out!
After this road game, the Mountaineers will travel to Statesboro, Ga., to face Georgia Southern on December 20th. Tip-off is scheduled for 1 p.m., and the game will be streamed on ESPN+.
Get ready for an exciting finish to December, and don't forget to share your predictions and thoughts in the comments! Who do you think will emerge victorious in this Sun Belt showdown?
