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Free throws save Lady Govs in win against Murray State

APSU Governors LogoDespite failing to hit a field goal in the final five minutes, Austin Peay State University women’s basketball team pulled out an 83-79 Ohio Valley Conference victory against Murray State, Saturday afternoon at the Dunn Center.

Austin Peay (5-12, 4-2 OVC) held a 70-61 lead after junior Darcie Warner’s basket with 5:12 remaining. That field goal – which was the Lady Govs final field goal of the game – was followed by Murray State’s 12-2 run over the next three minutes. The Racers took a 73-72 lead after Kristen Kluempers converted a traditional three-point play. However, her field goal was the Racers final basket.

Junior Ashley Herring led the Lady Govs with 19 points in the win against Murray State, Saturday afternoon. (Robert Smith/The Leaf-Chronicle)
Junior Ashley Herring led the Lady Govs with 19 points in the win against Murray State, Saturday afternoon. (Robert Smith/The Leaf-Chronicle)

The game ultimately was decided at the free-throw line over the final 2:33. Austin Peay made 13 of its 18 free throws during that span, including junior Ashley Herring’s 12-of-14 performance from the line. Murray State was 7-of-9 down the stretch and unable to keep up with the Lady Govs.

Murray State (6-10, 1-4) held the lead for most of the game’s first eight minutes. Austin Peay grabbed the lead courtesy five consecutive points – a Herring three-point basket and a field goal by senior Nicole Jamen. The Lady Govs would extend their lead to 15 points later in the half via a 17-4 scoring burst that ended with APSU leading 45-30 with 1:56 remaining. The lead was trimmed to 11 points, 47-36, at halftime as the Racers scored four straight points to end the frame.

Herring led the Lady Govs with 19 points, including her career-high 12 free throws. Junior Jasmine Rayner finished with 11 points and 10 rebounds for her third career double-double. Jamen (16 points), junior Brooke Faulkner (15) and Warner (10) each also reached double-digit scoring territory.

Rachael Isom and Kayla Vance each scored 20 points to lead Murray State.

Austin Peay continues its three-game OVC homestand with a 7 p.m., Thursday contest against Tennessee State.

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