CLARKSVILLE, Tenn. (ESPN CLARKSVILLE) – Despite holding the lead for half the game, Austin Peay State University women’s basketball team fell in a nail biter to Jacksonville State, Saturday.
Austin Peay (15-12, 8-8 OVC) had success inside early with Brianne Alexander scoring four of the Governors 10 points in the paint. The first quarter fluctuated back and forth, but Keisha Gregory and Arielle Gonzalez-Varner gave the Govs defensive rhythm on the boards, pulling down a combined seven rebounds in the opening period.
The Governors active defense continued in the second quarter as Austin Peay forced the Gamecocks into six turnovers, while collecting two steals. In a period marked by runs, the Govs looked poised to pull away from Jacksonville State, but the Gamecocks barricaded the paint, stalling the Governors’ offense. Gonzalez-Varner and Alexander each posted six points in the half, with Gregory adding five points and five rebounds.
Coming out of the halftime break, the Governors turned defensive pressure into offensive production, going on an 8-0 run to open the third quarter. The Govs extended their lead to 11 midway through the period, as Gregory and Alexander each scored six points, leading Austin Peay on 16-6 run heading into the final 10 minutes.
The Govs struggled from the field in the final period, but were able to get to the line with dribble penetration, going 7-for-7 from the stripe to close out the game. Jacksonville State gained momentum midway through the fourth quarter, clawing back to tie the game. A late foul gave Gamecock forward Tasha Magruder a chance from the line, where she drained both shots. The Govs had a chance to win the game at the buzzer, but the shot fell just short, as the Governors fell in another one-point contest, 51-50.