BOONE, N.C. — App State’s women’s basketball team used a career-high 26-point performance from Jayden McBride to beat Southern Miss 82-59 Saturday at the Holmes Convocation Center.
McBride was one of three Mountaineers to finish with double-figure points as App State improved to 8-7 overall and 1-4 in Sun Belt Conference play. Jakayla Johnson scored 23 points for Southern Miss, which fell to 10-6 and 3-2 in the conference.
The Mountaineers jumped out to an early lead, taking the game’s first points but committing a shot clock violation on their first possession. Southern Miss responded with a basket, but App State regained the lead with a three-pointer and maintained it for most of the first half. Johnson gave the Lady Eagles their only lead of the game with a three-pointer, but App State closed the quarter ahead, 19-16.
App State extended its lead in the second quarter, reaching as many as nine points before Southern Miss rallied. Johnson scored eight consecutive points in the third quarter to keep the Lady Eagles within striking distance, but the Mountaineers pushed their lead to 15 late in the third. Southern Miss closed the period with a 7-0 run, making it 60-53 heading into the final quarter.
In the fourth, App State pulled away, capitalizing on Southern Miss turnovers and hitting key three-pointers. Johnson scored her last points of the game with a layup, but the Lady Eagles did not score again. The Mountaineers pulled ahead comfortably, ending with a 23-point margin. They out-rebounded Southern Miss 45-26 and shot 54.5% from the field to secure their first Sun Belt win of the season.
Southern Miss returns to action Wednesday in San Marcos, Texas, facing Texas State at 11 a.m. CT. Fans can purchase season tickets for $75 at smttt.info/WBBTix. Updates on the team are available on social media and the school’s website.
