SPORTS

DAVIDSON, N.C. — Appalachian State’s Ashley Polacek hit a corner three-pointer with 21 seconds left to break up a tie and Davidson was unable to convert on its final three chances in the closing seconds, falling 81-78 Saturday evening inside John M. Belk Arena in women’s basketball action.

For the second year in a row, both teams played a game down to the wire, but this time ASU hit the winning shot. Last year it was Justine Lyon winning it for the ‘Cats with less than seven seconds remaining on a layup.

Davidson (2-2) erased an 11-point deficit (75-64) at the 5:55 mark of the fourth quarter by running off a 14-3 run capped off by a Donovan triple in the corner to tie things up at 78-all with 51 ticks left.

After the three-pointer by ASU, the Wildcats had three looks from three-point range, but all three attempts fell short in the last 19 seconds.

Despite the setback, the Wildcats filled the box score all around. They had four double-figure scorers for the first time this season, led by Sarah Donovan’s career-high 22 points. Kianna Speight scored 17, drilling five three-pointers, Katie Turner had 12 points, a career-high tying eight assists and six rebounds, while Alley Welling recorded her first collegiate double-double on 10 points and a season-best 11 rebounds. She also blocked a season-high three shots.

The ‘Cats as a team swished home 11 three-pointers for the second time in the past three games and dished out 19 assists for the third time in the first four games of the season. They finished the game shooting a season-best 45.7 percent from the field.

The Mountaineers (2-2) were paced by Tierra Wilson’s 17 points, while Maya Calder (14), Polacek (10) and Pre Stanley (10) also reached double figures. ASU shot 47.1 percent for the game and had a 44-35 edge on rebounds, while getting 36 points in the paint.

ASU won the first quarter, 29-21, before Davidson charged back from a 34-21 deficit in the second quarter by using a 17-3 run to start the quarter and grab a 38-34 lead. It would go into the break up one at 45-44.

The third quarter saw ASU pull away again on a 12-4 run to take a 57-49 lead at the 4:04 mark. Davidson came right back and got within one twice on layups from Donovan and Turner in the final minute before closing the quarter down 65-62.

Davidson will head to Asheville, N.C., the day before Thanksgiving to face UNC Asheville, Nov. 21, at 4:30 p.m.

GAME NOTES: This was the 49th meeting between both schools dating back to the 1993-94 season … Davidson fell to 22-27 in the all-time series … Kyla Roland blocked a personal-best three shots … Cassidy Gould dished out six assists for a new season high … before tipoff, Lyon was honored with her 1,000 career point ball.