College of Charleston
4-2
Appalachian State
1-5
Huff's Career-Best 16 Leads Cougars to 60-50 Win Over App State
12/3/2015 3:19:00 AM | Women's Basketball
CHARLESTON, S.C. – The College of Charleston women's basketball team matched it's hottest start in six years Wednesday, knocking off the Appalachian State Mountaineers (1-5) 60-50 to rise to 4-2 on the year.
Freshman Darien Huff had the best game of her young career, setting a new career high in points with 16 on 5-of-8 from the field, 2-of-3 from the line and a perfect 4-of-4 from the line. She also matched a career-best five rebounds, while adding an assist and a steal.
“Darien plays really aggressive, that's just the way she is,” head coach Candice M. Jackson said. “She's a great spark plug for us who gives really good energy. She brings defensive fuel and offense, and that's something that we'll continue to need from her.”
Not once during the game did Appalachian State take the lead, but at the same time they hung around for the entirety of the game, not allowing CofC to claim a double-digit lead until the final minute of the game.
Neither team was able to establish much of a rhythm due to the avalanche of 48 combined fouls and 54 combined turnovers. Neither team shot particularly well from the field, making the ample free-throw attempts key in determining the outcome. The Cougars were able to earn 31 trips to the line, converting 22 of their attempts (71%) to outperform the Mountaineers (10-of-21, 47.6%).
Breanna Bolden joined Huff in double digits with 12 points, while adding eight rebounds, hitting a career-high two blocks and matching a career-high six steals. Jackie Luna-Castro had three blocks of her own, while Courtney Gardner pulled down a cool seven points and seven rebounds.
“The evolution of the team early in the year has been really fun to watch,” head coach Candice M. Jackson said. “We talked about being more aggressive, and we got to the free throw line 31 times, which was great. I think we're going to be ready come conference.“
With the 4-2 start, the Cougars are off to their hottest start in six years, matching the 4-2 start of the 2009-10 squad. That team went on to qualify for the program's first trip to the Women's Basketball Invitational by way of a 21-12 overall record.
Kaila Craven came off the bench to lead the Mountaineers in scoring with 16 points, thanks to a 5-10 shooting night. Mia Marshall also made waves under the rim with ten rebounds on the night.
The Cougars will have a lengthy time off to get rested up before taking a brief jaunt north to play Charlotte (5-2) on Tuesday, Dec. 8 in Halton Arena. Tipoff is scheduled for 7:00 p.m.
