By Katherine Jamtgaard. OXFORD, Ohio — The App State women’s basketball team fell short to Miami University, 75-48, in its season opener and first installment of the 2024-25 MAC-SBC Challenge, Nov. 4.
Junior Seneya Martinez led the Mountaineers with 15 points off the bench. Martinez combined with senior Mara Neira for six of App State’s seven treys, draining three apiece. Neira also got into double-figures on the night with 11 points. Fellow senior Zada Porter pulled down a team-high eight rebounds and dished out a team-high three assists. The Mountaineers saw 22 points off the bench.
Miami established an early lead over the course of the first quarter. The Mountaineers cut the deficit to 34-22 in the second quarter and outscored the RedHawks 18-11. Neira and Inniss combined for 14 of App State’s 18 points in the period with Neira knocking down three of four from beyond the arc and Inniss draining a 3-point bucket as well as making a fastbreak layup. Junior Elena Pericic contributed a trio of points, draining three from the line.
Miami (Ohio) continued to extend its lead in the third and fourth quarters. The Mountaineers’ Martinez nonetheless found some momentum in the second half, scoring all 15 of her points over the third and fourth quarters. Porter also contributed six points in the second half. In the fourth quarter, App State outscored the RedHawks, 17-12, and went on a 9-0 scoring run. Despite the Mountaineers’ late surge, Miami walked away with the victory.
Up Next
The Mountaineers will return to Boone for their home opener against Columbia College (S.C.) on Nov. 6. Tipoff is set for 5 p.m. and will be available to stream on ESPN+. Wednesday’s game is part of a doubleheader with the men’s team, who will play St. Andrews at 7:30 p.m.
