Austin Peay (2-1) at Mississippi Valley State (0-3)
Monday, November 18th, 2019 | 6:00pm
Itta Bena, MS | R.W. Harrison HPER Complex
Clarksville, TN – On the road for the second straight game, Austin Peay State University (APSU) women’s basketball will make the trip south to Itta Bena, Mississippi, to take on Mississippi Valley State at 6:00pm, Monday, at the R.W. Harrison HPER Complex.
The Devilettes made the trip to Clarksville and knocked off the Governors a season ago.
This year the Govs will look to return the favor as they wrap up an early season two-game road trip, before returning to the Dunn Center for a 7:00pm, Thursday, tilt with Evansville.
About the Mississippi Valley State Devilettes
Mississippi Valley State was tabbed to finish eighth in the Southwestern Athletic Conference preseason poll. The Devilettes finished eighth in the SWAC with a record of 6-24 in 2018-19.
Losses at Ole Miss and North Alabama kicked of the season for Mississippi Valley State, before the Deveilettes returned to Itta Bena to take on Murray State in the home opener. The Racers spoiled the home opener, pulling out a 72-66 road victory.
Mississippi Valley State is led by two junior-college transfers, Shelli Thigpen and Diamond Wraggs. Thigpen is averaging 12.7 points and 4.7 rebounds, while shooting 57.1 percent from the floor and Wraggs is averaging 12.3 points and 5.3 rebounds, while and is shooting 55.2 percent — neither of the two has even attempted a three-point shot this season.
Another junior-college transfer, Ayonna Cotton, is the Devilette’s third player scoring in double-figures. Cotton averages 11.7 point per game, and leads the team with eight made three-pointers. Cotton is also the team leader in assists, averaging 3.7 per game.
Series History
This the fourth meeting in a series that dates back to 1987, Mississippi Valley State leads the all-time series 0-3. Monday will be the Govs first trip to Itta Bena, Mississippi, since December 9th, 1987.
Last season the Governors fell to the Devilettes, 95-89, in the Winfield Dunn Center despite one of the most historic performances in program history from Arielle Gonzalez-Varner. The then-junior, from Cincinnati, Ohio, posted 32 points and 23 rebounds in the only known 30-20 game in program history.
The 23 rebounds grabbed by Gonzalez-Varner were a program single-game record. The 16 offensive rebounds Gonzalez-Varner pulled down was 13 more offensive boards than the entire Mississippi Valley State team had. The 23 total rebounds by Gonzalez-Varner were only two less than the 25 rebounds that the entire Mississippi Valley State team recorded.
What To Watch For
The Austin Peay State University Governors rank third in the NCAA in three-point field goals per game (12.7) and fifth in total three-point field goals made (38).
Through three games the Governors have attempted 105 three-point shots — the 12th most in the NCAA.
The Governors lead the Ohio Valley Conference in three-point field goals made through three games this season. The Govs have connected 38 times from downtown, led by three different Govs who rank in the top seven of the OVC — Shay-Lee Kirby and Tahanee Bennell are tied for second with 10 triples and Maggie Knowles ranks 7th with 6 made threes.
Through two games this season, the Governors are averaging 37 points off the bench.
The APSU Govs scored 26 points in the paint against Illinois, falling four points short of posting 30-plus points in the paint in all three games to open the season.
Off to a 2-1 start, a Governors win over Mississippi Valley State would move them to 3-1 for the third time in David Midlick‘s five years at the helm of the program.
Through three games Arielle Gonzalez-Varner is tied for the OVC lead in offensive rebounds, she has pulled down ten boards on the offensive end.
Tickets
Austin Peay State University Governors Courtside Seating returns for the 2019-20 season.
For more information on joining the Governors in the Dunn Center this winter, to secure season tickets or to become involved with the Monocle Society, call 931.221.PEAY.
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 Governor women’s basketball Twitter page (@AustinPeayWBB). Live stats will be available during the game at PeayStats.com, and all home games and Ohio Valley Conference games can be viewed on the ESPN+ app.
