INDIANAPOLIS, Ind. – (CLARKSVILLENOW) After fighting a four-quarter battle in Hinkle Fieldhouse, Austin Peay State University women’s basketball team dropped its season opener to Butler, 75-54, Saturday night.

The Governors held their own in the first quarter as their defense inside, led by freshman Kelen Kenol and senior Brianne Alexander, forced Butler to look elsewhere for their points. Alexander took control down low offensively, racking up seven points in the first quarter, showing determination fighting through contact and converting an and-one opportunity in the final minute of the opening period.

The bench gave valuable minutes in the second quarter, putting up nine points. Junior transfer Jemiah Harrison went 2-for-2 in the paint as she stepped in for Kenol, who spent much of the second quarter in foul trouble. Freshman Brianah Ferby got her first action off the bench, tallying three steals in the second quarter alone and four in the game. Despite the much needed lift from the bench, the Govs went into halftime down 25-36.

Late in the third quarter the Govs made a comeback push, cutting the lead to single digits. Senior Bri Williams and redshirt junior Falon Baker engineered the comeback controlling the floor, each dishing out three assists, with Baker adding 5 points.

Heading into the fourth quarter the Governors looked to mount an attack, but were unable to knock the Bulldogs out of their offensive rhythm. Butler was able to string together several possessions, going on a 13-0 run to seal the game. The Governors continued to fight, but were unable to dent the Bulldog lead.

“I saw good things, and I don’t want our team to get down and they have to understand a lot of what we talked about after the game, shot selection, valuing the basketball and defensive transition. We have to continue to get better in a lot of areas, and I thought we had over the past week, and we need to continue to do so,” said head coach David Midlick.

Austin Peay will host Christian Brothers in its home opener 7 p.m., Tuesday, at the Dunn Center.