CLARKSVILLE, Tenn. (CLARKSVILLENOW) – After winning nine games before the end of December for the first time in program history, Austin Peay State University women’s basketball is set to kick off Ohio Valley Conference play with a 5:30 p.m., Thursday, contest against Southeast Missouri in the Dunn Center.
On the first night of OVC action this season, the league’s top-two offenses will meet up in Clarksville. Southeast Missouri leads the league in scoring offense, averaging 75.4 points per game while the Governors rank second in the conference, posting 73.7 points per game.
This is the 62nd meeting in a series that dates back to 1989; the Govs lead the all-time series 34-27, and have won six out of the last seven matchups.
After finishing eighth in the OVC a season ago, Southeast Missouri was tabbed to finish sixth in the league this season. The Redhawks enter OVC play with an 8-2 record, and a win over the University of Mississippi, 70-53, on Dec. 14 in Oxford, Mississippi.
After averaging 18.2 points per game and being named a First Team All-OVC selection last season, Tesia Thompson returns for her junior season. Thompson is the Redhawks second leading scorer and leading rebounder this season, averaging 16.1 points and 6.9 rebounds per game.
The Governors picked up a win last time out against Southeast Missouri, knocking off the Redhawks, 56-54, in the Dunn Center.
Arielle Gonzalez-Varner led the way for the Govs, posting a team-high 13 points and 9 rebounds. Maggie Knowles added 12 more points, with all four of her made field-goals coming from three-point range. Finally, Keisha Gregory rounded out the Govs in double-figures, scoring 10 points, with six of them coming from the charity stripe.
By starting the season 9-2, Austin Peay is off to the second best eleven-game start in program history.
In games played at the Dunn Center this season, the Govs are averaging 85.5 points and 14 three-pointers per game. The Govs have outscored opponents 342-266 in games played on Dave Loos Court, and by an average of 19 points per game.
After Thursday’s tilt with the Redhawks, the Governors will welcome UT Martin to the Dunn Center for a 1:30, Saturday, matchup.