CLARKSVILLE, Tenn. (ESPN CLARKSVILLE) – Overcoming a chilly start, Austin Peay State University women’s basketball team defeated Evansville 82-73, Saturday.
Austin Peay (6-1) remained unbeaten at home, winning their sixth-straight game for the first time in 13 seasons. Austin Peay shot a collective 40.3 percent from the field (53.8 percent in the fourth quarter) including 35.5 percent from beyond the arc.
Senior forward Brianne Alexander was aggressive early, going 3-for-5 from the field in the first quarter scoring seven points as she battled down low. Evansville was nearly perfect from the field shooting 70.0 percent and going 4-for-5 from long range. The Governors defense struggled to generate turnovers, but made the most of their opportunities, scoring six points off two turnovers in the first quarter to keep the game within three points (23-20).
The Governors tightened up defensively in the second quarter, forcing Evansville into six turnovers converting them into eight points. Austin Peay’s three-quarter court press rattled Evansville, stifling their offensive rhythm and dropping their field goal percentage to 27.3 percent. The Govs worked to share the ball and make the extra pass to kick start their offense, as five different Governors recorded points in the second period.
In the second half, it was Austin Peay’s turn to light up the arc as the Govs shot 47.1 percent from the field and going 3-for-5 from three-point territory. Freshman Brianah Ferby scored seven points off the bench and Keisha Gregory was perfect from the field, racking up six points and four rebounds. The Governors outscored Evansville 23-11 in the third quarter, taking a 13-point lead into the final period.
The Governors wrestled with foul trouble early in the fourth quarter, requiring a carousel of substitutes to prevent key players from fouling out. Austin Peay turned to veteran point guard Bri Williams to provide consistency in the waning minutes of the game. She scored five points, pulled down two rebounds and dished out her 10th assist playing all 10 minutes of the final period. The Govs tallied 11 bench points in the fourth quarter to remain undefeated at home this season.
Brianah Ferby led the Govs in scoring with 17 points and four rebounds. Keisha Gregory and Falon Bakereach scored 11 points as Gregory added nine rebounds, while Baker dished out four assists.
Kelen Kenol pulled down 10 rebounds and recorded four blocks in her sixth start of the season, while her front court partner, Brianne Alexander, scored 10 points with four rebounds.