APSU Women’s Basketball
Clarksville, TN – Austin Peay will wrap up a stretch of five games in nine days when it visits Southern Illinois for a 2:05pm, Sunday contest at SIU Arena. The game will be available on radio at WVRY 105.1 FM and via online audio at www.LetsGoPeay.com.
Sunday’s contest will be the fifth game of the Lady Govs current seven-game road swing and the second against a member of the Southern Illinois University system. Austin Peay will not return to the friendly confines of the Dunn Center until a December 8th contest against Lipscomb.
Hanley pushed her season scoring average to a team-best 14.2 points per game through six outings. She also is tied for the team lead with 5.7 rebounds per game and is the team leader in assists, averaging 3.6 handouts per game. Thomas is the only other Lady Govs player averaging double-digits with 10.3 points per game and leads the team with 10 blocks in six games.
Southern Illinois enters Sunday’s contest seeking its season’s first victory. The Salukis suffered a 56-52 loss at Western Michigan, Wednesday, in their first road contest this season. Southern Illinois has struggled offensively, averaging 47.5 points per game, but has provided a stout defensive performance in each of its first four games, surrendering just 55.2 points per game.
The Salukis have faced two Ohio Valley Conference members already this season, losing both games. SIU lost to UT Martin, 62-50, in their season opener before dropping a 57-43 decision to Tennessee State, November 16th.
Teri Oliver leads Southern Illinois with 12.3 points per game. The Saulkis aren’t afraid to use their bench with 10 players playing in all four games this season and 14 players seeing time in at least one game this season.
Key Notables From Lady Govs Last Game
Junior guard Whitney Hanley recorded the Lady Govs first double-double this season, scoring 20 points and grabbing 12 rebounds.
However, she also added six assists and two steals in a game-high 39 minutes played.
Senior forward Dalila Thomas added 12 points – she was 5-of-8 from the field – but was held to one rebound.
She led an APSU frontcourt that was limited to 20 points and six rebounds.
Senior guard Salem Richardson and sophomore forward Meghan Bussabarger each had six points off the bench, which finished with 14 points.
Austin Peay won the battle of the benches for the second consecutive game, outscoring SIUE’s bench which had just six points.
Austin Peay’s defense surrendered two double-doubles in the loss. Senior guard Sydney Stahlberg scored a career-high 20 points and grabbed 10 rebounds. Sophomore center Raven Berry finished with 18 points and 11 rebounds.
In addition, Freshman guard Jazmin Hill scored a career-high 25 points.
Next Up: Southeast Missouri
After playing five games in nine days, the Lady Govs will get a four-day break before opening Ohio Valley Conference play with a 5:30pm, Thursday contest at Southeast Missouri.
