The App State women’s basketball team defeated Western Michigan, 78-68, in the second installment of the MAC-SBC Challenge on Saturday. The Mountaineers have gone 2-0 in the 2023-24 MAC-SBC Challenge, having downed Ohio on Nov. 11. With the conclusion of Saturday’s game, the Mountaineers (13-11 (6-6 SBC)), have won three consecutive games in the month of February.

Four Mountaineers scored double figures, led by junior Emily Carver, who netted 16 points. Senior Faith Alston netted 15 points and led the team with four assists. Carver and fellow junior Zada Porter combined for six of the Mountaineers’ 12 treys on the night. Porter matched her season high of 14 points, which she last reached against Furman on Nov. 23. Sophomore Chaé Harris netted 10 points, shooting a perfect 4-of-4 from the field, which included 2-of-2 from the arc. Fellow sophomore Rylan Moffitt led the team with six rebounds, marking her 15th game as the Black and Gold’s top rebounder. She also shot 4-of-6 from the field for eight points on the night.

App State controlled the lead for the duration of the game and shot 47.3% from the field, 42.9% from the arc, and 77.8% from the line. The Mountaineers held Western Michigan to three treys, five second chance points, seven offensive rebounds, and nine fast break points.

App State held Western Michigan to a mere eight points, while establishing an early lead in the first quarter. Alston and Harris combined for 12 of the Mountaineers’ 19 points, both shooting 100% from the field. Western Michigan worked to catch up with the Mountaineers, despite being turned over by the Mountaineers nine times. Carver netted five points in the period, including her first trey of the game, to contribute to the Mountaineers’ 32-23 lead at the half.

Porter came out strong in the third quarter, netting 11 of her 14 points and shooting 3-of-4 from the field, 2-of-3 from the arc, and a perfect 3-of-3 from the line. Carver contributed another five points, drilling a 3-point bucket and pair of freebies. Western Michigan chipped away at the Black and Gold’s lead over the course of the period, narrowing it down to a mere two points, but the Mountaineers were quick to extend the deficit after a pair of Porter treys and a pair of Carver freebies. App State closed the quarter with a 60-48 lead.

In the fourth quarter, Alston and fifth-year senior Taylor Lewis combined for 10 of the Mountaineers’ 18 points, while Carver and Porter combined for six. The Mountaineers caused eight Western Michigan turnovers, and never turned the ball over in the period. App State steadily maintained the lead through the period to record a 78-68 victory.

The Mountaineers will return to Boone for a four-game homestead, tipping things off with a 12 p.m. Education Day game against Marshall on Feb. 15. Admission will be free for fans. The Mountaineers will then host Georgia State at 2 p.m. on Feb. 17 for their Play4Kay Pink Day game. App State women’s basketball alumni are encouraged to join the Mountaineers for Alumni Day festivities on Feb. 17 as well.

App State will host Old Dominion on Feb. 22 at 6:30 p.m. and James Madison on Feb. 24 at 2 p.m.