RICHMOND, Ky. – Seven was the unluckiest number for Austin Peay State University women’s basketball team, Monday night, as it suffered its seventh-straight loss courtesy a seven-point, 61-54 overtime loss to Eastern Kentucky in Ohio Valley Conference action at McBrayer Arena.
Eastern Kentucky (7-6, 4-0 OVC) took a six-point, 55-49, lead in the extra period after a Talisha Davis jumper closed an 8-0 run with 2:33 remaining. It would be the game’s final field goal, Eastern Kentucky converted on six of its eight free throws in the final minutes to secure the victory.
Austin Peay (3-12, 2-2) led 25-22 at halftime and built its lead up to seven points, 29-22, with the second half’s first two field goals. Eastern Kentucky scored nine of the next 11 points to tie the game, 31-31, just four minutes later. A later 10-3 EKU run pushed the lead to eight points, 44-36, with six minutes remaining.
The Lady Govs slowly chipped away at their deficit with junior Dalila Thomas’ jumper closing the margin to one point with 2:25 remaining. Eastern Kentucky responded with a Talisha Davis three-point basket to push the lead back to four points.
Freshman Meghan Bussabarger’s field goal with 1:41 left cut the lead in half. Austin Peay had three opportunities to tie the game in the final minute, but could not convert until Ashley Herring was fouled on her way to the basket and made both of the ensuing free throws, tying the game at 47-47 and forcing overtime.
Herring recorded her third career double-double – and first since her freshman year – with a 19-point, 11-rebound performance that also included a career-high tying five assists, three blocked shots and a steal.
Bussabarger chipped in a career-best 13 points, including scoring seven consecutive points in the first half to keep the Lady Govs in the contest early.
Davis came off the bench to lead Eastern Kentucky with 21 points and six rebounds, scoring 11 points in the second half and five in overtime. The Lady Colonels bench scored 48 points.
Austin Peay returns to action when it hosts UT Martin in a 5:15 p.m., Thursday contest at the Dunn Center.
