APSU Sports Information
Pine Bluff, AR – Senior center Tearra Banks poured in a career-high 34 points as Austin Peay State University women’s basketball team earned its fourth win of the season, defeating Arkansas-Pine Bluff, 69-55, Monday.
Banks was nearly unstoppable, going 15-of-18 from the field, while also grabbing 11 rebounds. She becomes the first Gov to score 30-plus points in a game since Tiasha Gray had 30 against Murray State, February 20th.
Junior Bri Williams also played a key role in the victory, serving as the floor general at point guard. Williams posted seven points, but it was her passing which helped Banks get open looks at the hoop. Williams finished with a career-best nine assists, the most since Gray had 10 against SIU Edwardsville, February 13th.
Senior forward Beth Rates also finished in double figures with 11 points along with three blocks, moving to within two of tying Sonja Cox for fifth-most in program history.
Game Notes
- Austin Peay shot 51 percent from the field, its highest output of the season behind Banks’ 83.3 percent mark.
- APSU’s post players accounted for 49 of the team’s 69 points.
- Head coach David Midlick mixed up his starting lineup for the first time this season, moving junior center Sydney Gooch to three in place of Falon Baker to provide additional length from the perimeter. Gooch finished with two points and a block after getting into foul trouble.
- Sophomore Keisha Gregory finished with seven points, while also being a reliable defensive stopper on the opposite end of the floor.
- The Governors won the rebounding battle by 10, 43-33.
- It was the first meeting between the Govs and Golden Lions in the history of the two programs.
Midlick’s Message
“I’m really proud of our effort tonight on the road. We’ll enjoy this one and hope to have a good Thanksgiving in Orlando.”
Up Next
The Governors continue their road trip, making a Thanksgiving holiday weekend trip to Orlando for the UCF Thanksgiving Classic beginning 11:00am, Saturday against St. Bonaventure.
