APSU Sports Information
Clarksville, TN – Looking to separate themselves from a crowded list of 4-4 teams in the Ohio Valley Conference standings, Austin Peay State University women’s basketball team triumphed over Eastern Kentucky, Thursday.
Both teams were slow to get going on the offensive end in the first quarter, but the Govs defense made a statement early.
Austin Peay (12-8, 5-4 OVC) forced seven turnovers in the first period, as Falon Baker turned defensive pressure into offensive production, scoring eight of the Governors 10 points.
Baker continued her tear in the second quarter, shooting 100.0 percent from the field, scoring four points and collecting a steal in seven minutes on the floor.
Five Governors worked their way onto the stat sheet in the second quarter as the Govs spread the floor to get their sputtering offense going.
The Govs extended their four-point lead early in the second period, but Eastern Kentucky continued to chip away at the Governors’ advantage. Colonel forward, Abby Wright, hit the only Eastern Kentucky three-point shot as time expired in the first half, sending the Govs into the halftime break clutching a two-point lead.
Out of the break, Baker and Brianah Ferby took control of the Governors’ offense. Each racked up six points without a turnover, while Baker collecting a steal and two blocks in the third period. The Govs continued their third-quarter thrills, shooting 50.0 percent from the field in the third period for the fourth straight game.
The Govs took a steady five-point lead into the final period, but as Austin Peay tried to pull away, the Colonels made several mini-runs to get back into the game.
As Eastern Kentucky fought back within two points, back-to-back baskets by Brianne Alexander and Ferby gave the momentum back to the Governors. Austin Peay began to pull away, and topped the Colonels, 59-45, for their first OVC win of the season.
Baker was the only Gov in double figures, scoring a career high 25 points while shooting 69.2 percent from the floor. Baker also tied a career high with two blocks and collected three steals.
Alexander and Keisha Gregory led the Govs with eight rebounds, as Alexander added nine points, and Gregory was a perfect 6-for-6 from the free-throw line.
Game Notes
Austin Peay remains unbeaten at home during conference play since dropping their opening OVC matchup with SIU Edwardsville.
The Govs held the Colonels to six points in the opening quarter, fewest points allowed by the Governors in the first period this season.
This is the first time since December 14th, 2016 against Kennesaw State that the Govs held a Division I team to less than 50 points. The Govs topped the Owls 68-49.
Baker scored career high 25 points on 9-for-13 shooting against the Colonels. Her previous career high was 20 points against Vanderbilt, November 27th, 2015 as a redshirt freshman.
Baker was the only Gov in double digits.
Baker tied a career high with two blocks. She earned both on the same Eastern Kentucky possession.
Govs set a season high for steals with 15, forcing the Colonels into 23 turnovers.
The Governors led the game from start to finish.
David Midlick’s Musings
Halftime Thoughts
“I wanted them to stay confident. I thought we got good shots at the basket, we got the ball inside to Bri Alexander and those are eight shots I want her to take. We had to continue to keep up the defensive effort, and eventually the shots would fall.”
Stifling the EKU Runs
“Our defense played an important role in closing out the game. I think we had an outstanding defensive effort against a well coached and talented basketball team, and when the shots aren’t falling you have to rely on something, and tonight we relied on our defense.”
Baker’s Career Night
“Falon was aggressive, and I think she realized in the back of her mind that we weren’t scoring baskets, and that it was on her to knock some shots down. I thought we screened for her and she didn’t settle for her three-point shot. She got in the lane, got to the basket and hit pull up shots, and we needed that from her tonight.”
Next Up for APSU Women’s Basketball
The Governors continue their homestand 4:30pm, Saturday, January 27th hosting Morehead State.
