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APSU Women’s Basketball comes up short at Belmont

APSU Sports Information

APSU Women's BasketballNashville, TN – With two players scoring over 20 points, Austin Peay State University women’s basketball team dropped a nail biter to the Ohio Valley Conference leaders, Belmont, Saturday, 78-75.

Austin Peay (11-8) came ready for battle with the undefeated Bruins, who have yet to fall in conference play this season.

Austin Peay Women's Basketball comes up short against Belmont Bruins, 78-75. (APSU Sports Information)
Austin Peay Women’s Basketball comes up short against Belmont Bruins, 78-75. (APSU Sports Information)

Falon Baker got the turnover train rolling, forcing Belmont into two early turnovers that kickstarted the Govs on the offensive end of the floor.

Belmont looked to stretch the game with a six-point run that extended their lead to eight, but the Governors would not let the game get out of reach.

Austin Peay responded with a 6-0 run, behind the inside play of Brianne Alexander.

APSU Basketball - Brianah FerbyAlexander took control inside, scoring eight points in the first half, pulling down three rebounds and grabbing two steals. Alexander also went a perfect 4-for-4 from the free-throw line in the opening two quarters.

With the Bruin defense collapsing inside, space opened up for the shooters on the perimeter. Brianah Ferby scored eight points in the first half, nailing two three-point shots that kept the Governors within striking distance midway through the second period.

With the clock winding down in the first half, the Govs got a critical stop on defense, and Falon Baker drove into the lane and got the shot at the buzzer to go, bringing the Govs even at 30 points heading into the halftime break.

APSU Basketball - Falon BakerThe Govs opened the second half on a 5-0 run, before Belmont heated up from deep. Ferby matched the Bruins hot streak with daggers from beyond the arc in the second half. Alexander found space underneath, as Belmont extended their defense to cover the deep threat. She scored 15 points in the second half, going 6-for-11 from the field.

The Govs went blow for blow with Belmont through much of the fourth quarter, as Brianah Ferby hit a three-point basket that brought the Govs within one, before Darby Maggard hit two free-throw shots following the Governors’ foul to stop the clock.

APSU Basketball - Keisha GregoryWith five seconds remaining in the game, the hot-handed Ferby took the final shot, but came up just short as the Govs fell 78-75, to the top ranked Bruins.

Ferby led all scorers with 28 points, eight rebounds and two steals. Alexander poured in 23 points, five rebounds and two steals.

Falon Baker added four points and four assists, with Keisha Gregory posting five points and six rebounds. Gregory tied a season high with five offensive rebounds, crashing the glass against the Bruins. Alexander has been hot from the free-throw line going 7-8 against the Bruins, and scoring 25 points from the stripe in the last four games.

Game Notes

Austin Peay had 16 offensive rebounds, out-rebounding Belmont on the offensive glass 16-12.

The Governors made 12 three-point baskets against Belmont. This is the first time the Govs have made more than 10 three pointers since they scored 11 against UT Martin February 22nd, 2017.

The Govs shot 52.2 percent from three-point territory for the game.

The Governors forced 17 turnovers against the Bruins, only giving the ball away eight times.

Alexander’s 21 points ties a career high, previously set against Christian Brothers November 13th, 2016.

Alexander was the first player to score 20 points for the Govs this season.

Alexander has been nearly perfect from the free-throw line going 7-8 from the line against the Bruins and scoring 25 points from the stripe in the last four games.

Ferby’s eight rebounds tops her previous career high of five set against UT Martin, January 3rd.

Ferby posted a new career high with 28 points, she previously scored 20 points December 30th, 2017 against Eastern Illinois.

Ferby is the first Gov to score more than 25 points since Tearra Banks at SIUE, February 15th, 2017.

This is the first game two Governors have scored more than 20 points (Ferby, 28 and Alexander 23) since Tiasha Gray and Tearra Banks at Belmont Jan. 16, 2016.

Catching up with coach David Midlick

Overall Thoughts
“I am proud of our team, only eight turnovers and 16 offensive rebounds. Belmont has been the OVC Champion for two-straight years for a reason, they hit big shots and for the most part I thought we were in their face, and they still shot 52.0 percent from three for the game. In the end, it was one possession. We left it all on the floor tonight.”

Ferby’s Career Night
“She was extremely impactful, she hit seven threes and was matching what they were doing on the other end and we needed every basket. Our players did a good job of finding her and setting screens to get her open.”

Brianne Alexander‘s Toughness
“She had an excellent game driving to the basket and fighting underneath against taller players. She took her time in the offense and battled on the defensive end.”

Bringing the Energy: “Our energy has been really good the past two games, we had a good week of practice, we refocused after the Tennessee Tech, Jacksonville State swing and we have to continue to bring this every day.”

Next Up for APSU Women’s Basketball

The Governors return home to the Dunn Center 5:15pm, Thursday, January 25th, 2018 to face Eastern Kentucky.

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