Austin Peay (2-0 | 0-0 OVC) at Illinois (2-0 | 0-0 Big 10)
Wednesday, November 13th, 2019 | 7:00pm CT
Champaign, IL | State Farm Center
Clarksville, TN – For the first time this season, Austin Peay State University (APSU) women’s basketball is set to embark on a road trip to take on the Fighting Illini of Illinois with a 7:00pm, Wednesday, November 12th tip off in Champaign, Illinois, at the State Farm Center.
After starting the season 2-0 for the first time since 2011-12, the Governors will put their record on the line when they take on the Fighting Illini.
The Govs have won their first two games by an average of 26.5 points, thanks in part to averaging 14.5 made three-pointers per game, which ranks third in the NCAA.
The Governors also rank second in the NCAA in made three-pointers, with 29.
About the Illinois Fighting Illini
Illinois finished last in the Big 10 in 2018-19, going 2-16 in conference play and 10-20 overall. The Fighting Illini were not picked in the Big 10 Preseason Poll, which only featured the top five teams in the league. Illinois returns eight players from the 2018-19 roster, including four starters. Brandi Beasley is the Fighting Illini’s top returning scorer, but she has yet to take the court this season.
This season, four of Illinois’ five starters are scoring in double figures, led by Petra Holes?i?nska?, who is averaging 15.5 point per game after missing the 2018-19 season due to injury. Holes?i?nska? is followed by Ali Andrews (15 ppg) and Jada Peebles (10 ppg), and finally, Kennedi Myles, who is averaging a double-double with 14 points and 11 rebounds per game.
Illinois is off to a 2-0 start to their season, having beat Chicago State, 96-66, and Holy Cross, 78-75, in overtime.
Series History
The Governors made the trip to Champaign, Illinois, on Dec. 16, 2017, for the only meeting between the two programs. Falon Baker, the Govs current graduate assistant, connected three times from three-point range to lead the Governors in scoring with 11 points. Brianne Alexander and Keisha Gregory each added eight points in the low-scoring contest. Despite the Governors outshooting Illinois from three-point range, they were unable to knock off the Fighting Illini, and fell 59-47.
Four current Govs – Brandi Ferby, Brianah Ferby, Arielle Gonzalez-Varner, and Kelen Kenol – took the court last time out against the Fighting Illini.
What to watch for
Tahanee Bennell picked up the first Ohio Valley Conference Newcomer of the Week honors of the 2019-20 season, she is the first Gov to win Newcomer of the Week since Bri Williams did it for the week of Jan. 10, 2017.
Shay-Lee Kirby was named Ohio Valley Conference Freshman of the Week for the first week of the season, she is the first Gov to win Freshman of the Week since Maggie Knowles picked up the award for the week of Jan. 22, 2019.
The Governors rank third in the NCAA in three-point field goals per game (14.5) and second in three-point field goals made (29).
Shay-Lee Kirby ranks 10th in the NCAA in three-point field goals made (9) and 18th in three-point field goals per game (4.5).
The Governors 18 made three-pointers against Kentucky Wesleyan (Nov. 5) is the second best single game total in the NCAA this season.
Through two games this season, the Governors are averaging 48.5 points off the bench.
After starting the season 2-0, the Governors will look to get off to a 3-0 start for the first time since the 1994-95 season.
APSU Govs Online
Check back at LetsGoPeay.com and on Austin Peay State University’s Official Athletics Facebook page often for up-to-date news about all Governor athletics, as well as the APSU women’s basketball Twitter page (@AustinPeayWBB). Live stats will be available during the game at PeayStats.com, and the game against Illinois will be streamed live on BTN+, the Big 10 Network’s online streaming service.
