January 4, 2003

ROACH'S FREE THROWS SINK APPALACHIAN STATE, 71-69

Boone, N.C. -- Katie Roach hit two free throws with just eight tenths of a second remaining on the clock to lift Furman to a 71-69 victory over Appalachian Saturday afternoon in women¹s basketball action.

The Mountaineers (1-10, 0-2) returned to the Holmes Center after playing a grueling eight games out of Boone, while the Lady Paladins (6-5, 2-0) pick up their second conference victory of the season.

Appalachian jumped out to an early 11-4 lead thanks to six quick points from Jessica Jank before Furman was able to respond. The Lady Paladins took their first lead of the game at the 14:16 mark as Tommi Paris hit a layup to make the score 13-11. The advantage seesawed for much of the first half before Furman pulled it to a six-point lead to end the period.

Coming out of the lockerroom the Lady Paladins were able to extend their lead, and the Mountaineers trailed by as much as 10 points in the first five minutes of the second half. Appalachian chipped away at the lead, taking control of the board on a three-point bucket from Lindsay Smith with 9:03 on the clock.

The lead changed five times in the final eight minutes of play, and with just four seconds left, Kiki Conyers hit a free throw to knot the game at 69-69. Roach nabbed the rebound on the second free throw, but was fouled by Tiffani Johnson with less than a second to play, and Roach sunk both free throws to give the Paladins the two-point win.

Four Furman players were in double figures for the game, with Roach leading the charge with a career-high 20 points. Paris contributed 11 points to the effort, while Deshara Shealey and Jen Nadalin put up 10 each.

The Mountaineers spread out the scoring, and had six players in double digits. Johnson and Aisha Bryant led the team with 12 each, while Conyers, Smith, and Michelle Conklin each netted 11. Jank had ten points and led the team with six rebounds.

Appalachian plays at home again on Wednesday, Jan. 8 as they face the East Tennessee State Bucs at 7:00 p.m. Furman will host the Davidson Wildcats on Tuesday at 7:00 p.m.