Austin Peay at Murray State
Thursday, February 8th, 2018 | 3:00pm CT
Murray, KY | CFSB Center
Clarksville, TN – Austin Peay State University women’s basketball team jumps into the second half of their four-game road trip 3:00pm, Thursday, February 8th at Murray State, for the Heritage Bank Battle of the Border.
Brianne Alexander scored a career high 26 points against Southeast Missouri to lift the Govs past the Redhawks, Saturday.
She pulled down seven rebounds and went 9-for-17 from the floor, while Arielle Gonzalez-Varner pulled down a career high 12 rebounds, including eight offensive rebounds that the Govs converted into eight points.
The Governors’ win halted a two-game skid behind 24 points in the paint and 24 points from the bench. The Govs also shot 50.0 percent from the floor to close out the fourth quarter behind Alexander’s 12 points, holding Southeast Missouri to 1-12 from the floor in the final period.
The Govs are entering the final six regular season games looking to move up in the Ohio Valley Conference standings. Austin Peay is shooting 39.9 percent from the floor, with four players averaging at least nine points per game. The Governors’ aggressive defense continues to force opposing offenses into difficult situations, forcing 16.4 turnovers per game.
The Govs will have to fend off the offensive pressure of Ke’Shunan James and Bria Bethea, who are averaging 20.3 and 16.0 points per game respectively. The Racers are 4-8 in conference, in need of a win to make a postseason push.
APSU Storylines
Series Structure
Austin Peay is 42-43 all time against Murray State, having split the two meetings last year. The Govs topped the Racers at home January 21st, 2017, 75-63 before falling on the road February 11th, 62-67. Austin Peay has not beaten Murray State on the road in the Midlick era.
Career Highs
Alexander continues her conference command, scoring a career high 26 points against Southeast Missouri, and is the only Gov to average double figures in conference play (13.6).
Struggles No More
The Governors have struggled in the second quarter this season, but had no such stumbles against the Redhawks, shooting 47.4 percent in the period, outscoring Southeast Missouri 24-12.
The Govs got a 24-point boost off the bench, Saturday, as Brianah Ferby and Michaela Campbell combined for 19 points, and all of the Governors’ three-point shots.
Rebounding Run
Austin Peay outrebounded Southeast Missouri 41-29, which was the Govs largest rebounding margin of the season. Gonzalez-Varner pulled down a career high 12 boards in her 29 minutes off the bench.
Follow the APSU Govs
Be sure to follow all the Austin Peay women’s basketball action at LetsGoPeay.com and the official Facebook page of Austin Peay Athletics. In addition, live play-by-play coverage can be found on Twitter (@AustinPeayWBB) and live stats will be available at PeayStats.com. Saturday’s game can also be streamed for free on OVC Digital Network.
