CLARKSVILLE, Tenn. – (ESPN CLARKSVILLE) Eclipsing the program record from the free throw line, Austin Peay State University women’s basketball team topped Tennessee Tech 53-52 in an aggressive match up Thursday night.
Austin Peay (15-11, 8-7 OVC) came out strong, shooting 53.8 percent from the floor, maneuvering smoothly through the Golden Eagles full court pressure. Both teams were looking to go inside early, which led to early foul trouble for Brianne Alexander, but the Govs pressure dribble penetration yielded 12 points in the paint for the first period.
Kelen Kenol scored four early points for the Governors off the bench, and pulled down two defensive rebounds. With less than 15 seconds remaining in the quarter, which stood knotted at 12, Nieja Crawford found space in the lane to get a shot off, giving Austin Peay a two-point advantage.
Keisha Gregory scored four points in a choppy second quarter, going 4-for-4 from the foul line, and pulling down three rebounds, but neither team could find a consistent offensive rhythm, leaving the game tied at 23 going into halftime.
Out of the break, the Governors went back and forth with Tennessee Tech, as the lead changed seven times with four ties. The Govs struggled to take care of the ball, but Gregory and Falon Baker cleaned the glass for the Govs, pulling down four and two rebounds respectively in the third quarter.
Austin Peay quickly erased Tennessee Tech’s four-point margin, going blow for blow with the Golden Eagles down the stretch. Despite having to leave the game briefly after a hard fall, Alexander showed her ability to close games, scoring 10 points in the final period to go along with four rebounds.
With mere seconds remaining in the game, Keisha Gregory iced two free-throw shots, giving the Govs a one-point edge. Golden Eagle guard, Abby Buckner, was able to get a contested shot off before the buzzer, but it clicked off the side of rim. In a low scoring affair, the Governors secured a 53-52 win over Tennessee Tech.
Alexander led all scorers with 14 points behind her explosive fourth quarter, while pulling down four rebounds. Gregory also scored in double digits with 13 points, just one rebound short of a double double. Bri Williams was selfless as she ran the offense, dishing out four assists and collecting two steals.
Kelen Kenol added seven points off the bench, with Baker and Brianah Ferby each posting six points. Baker pulled down five rebounds and dished out four assists to pad her mid-week stat line.
The Governors will be back in the Dunn Center 4:30 p.m., Saturday, against Jacksonville State.