ITTA BENA, Miss. (CLARKSVILLENOW) – Leading by two points at halftime, Austin Peay State University women’s basketball forced five turnovers and drew seven fouls in the first three minutes of the third quarter to spark a 15-5 run and give the Governors a 12-point lead from which they would never look back, defeating Mississippi Valley State, 100-82, Monday, Nov. 18 at the R.W. Harrison Complex.
For the second time this season, the Governors posted 100 points in a winning effort. The Austin Peay attack was led by Arielle Gonzalez-Varner; the preseason All-Ohio Valley Conference selection posted 21 points and hauled in 13 rebounds, including five offensive boards.
It was a solid night for the Governors sophomores, with the combination of Maggie Knowles and Kasey Kidwell posting 31 points. Knowles led the way from three-point range, knocking down four threes on her way to 16 points. Kidwell buried two three-pointers of her own, and scored five points at the charity stripe on the way to a career-high 15 point performance.
It was a tightly contested first half, with the game tied nine times and 10 lead changes. Gonzalez-Varner was just two rebounds away from her season’s second double-double after just 20 minutes of action, with 12 points and eight rebounds. But the Governors only led by two points and could never find any separation from the Devilettes.
In the second half, it was the Governors defensive effort that led to the offensive effort. The Govs defense forced 19 turnovers in the second half, which led to 18 points off turnovers in the final 20 minutes. The Governors aggressive full court press shut down the Mississippi Valley State offense for stretches in the second half, allowing the Governors to build a 19 point lead with 2:49 left in the third quarter.
The Governor defense that was beat on the fast break by Illinois less than a week ago, held the Devilettes to six fast break points, and only two in the second half. Even though the Governors posted 100 points for the second time this season, it was the defense that led them to a 100-82 road victory.
Austin Peay will return home for a quick one-game homestand, hosting a 7 p.m., Thursday, Nov.21 tilt with Evansville. After Thursday’s contest with the Purple Aces, the Govs will embark on a five-game road trip that will conclude at the Florida International Classic, Dec. 19-20.