APSU Sports Information
Clarksville, TN – Austin Peay State University women’s basketball team put together a late-game rally in its Ohio Valley Conference opener, but fell just short, 81-71, Thursday against Morehead State in the Dunn Center.
The comeback was sparked by a lineup featuring two freshman – Arielle Gonzalez-Varner and Shelbe Piggie – juniors Madison Rich and Brianne Alexander, and senior Jacey Scott.
Alexander scored all 10 of her points in the fourth quarter, including going 6-of-6 at the free throw line. Meanwhile, Gonzalez-Varner recorded a career-high six points, while Piggie, Rich and Scott all knocked down shots in that span.
Austin Peay opened the game with a 9-0 run, led by senior center Tearra Banks who posted a double-double in the first half alone. She finished the night with team-highs in both points (15) and rebounds (12), the 13th double-double of her career.
Game Notes
- The 29 points scored by APSU in the fourth period are the most in any previous quarter this season.
- For Banks, it’s the 19th time she has led the Govs in scoring and 28th time in rebounding for her career. It’s also her eighth-straight double-digit scoring output in 2016.
- Playing in her 60th consecutive game, junior center Sydney Gooch came off the bench to post seven points and a season-best nine rebounds.
- In her nine minutes on the court, Gonzalez-Varner also grabbed five rebounds, a career-high.
- Redshirt sophomore guard matched her career-highs in two defensive categories, coming up with three steals and two blocks.
- Austin Peay held two big advantages on the statsheet – outrebounding the Eagles 49-35 and went to the free throw line 39 times compared to MSU’s 24 attempts.
Quote
Head Coach David Midlick
“I saw a lot of heart out of that group. Our two freshmen Ari and Shelbe, Jacey and Maddie on the wings, and Brianne ended up in double figures, doing a good job of not quitting and battling in the fourth period.”
Up Next for APSU
Austin Peay faces a quick turnaround game, hosting the defending OVC Tournament champions Belmont in the Dunn Center at noon, Saturday.
