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HomeSportsAustin Peay State University Women's Basketball hosts Illinois State, Sunday

Austin Peay State University Women’s Basketball hosts Illinois State, Sunday

Austin Peay (8-2) vs. Illinois State (8-2)

Sunday, December 29th, 2109 | 2:00pm CT
Clarksville, TN | Dunn Center

APSU Women's BasketballClarksville, TN – For the first time in 38 days, the Austin Peay State University (APSU) women’s basketball is set for a game in the Winfield Dunn Center, when they play a 2:00pm, Sunday, contest against Illinois State to wrap up the non-conference slate.

Austin Peay State University Women's Basketball takes on Illinois State at the Dunn Center, Sunday afternoon. (APSU Sports Information)
Austin Peay State University Women’s Basketball takes on Illinois State at the Dunn Center, Sunday afternoon. (APSU Sports Information)

After wrapping up a season-long five game road trip by winning the FIU Holiday Hoops Showdown, the Governors return to Clarksville to take on Illinois State.

Sunday’s tilt with the Redbirds marks the Govs final non-conference game of the season, and they will kick off Ohio Valley Conference play at home next week when they matchup with Southeast Missouri, January 2nd, and UT Martin, January 4th.

About the Illinois State Redbirds

The Redbirds of Illinois State finished fourth in the Missouri Valley Conference a season ago, and were tabbed to finish sixth this season. At 8-2, Illinois State is off to a hot start to the season, having already knocked off the Fighting Illini of Illinois, 74-58 – the Govs fell to Illinois, 62-76, on November 13th.

TeTe Maggett, a 2019 First Team All-MVC selection and the MVC Newcomer of the Year, leads Illinois State on the offensive end. A season ago, Maggett was the fourth best scorer in the MVC, averaging 15.9 points per game. This season, she ranks third in the league, averaging 17.3 points per contest.

Illinois State second-leading scorer is former Redbirds volleyball player, Lexi Wallen. Wallen joined the basketball program last December after wrapping up her four-year volleyball career at Illlinois State. Last season, Wallen averaged 5.4 points per game; she has found another gear this season, averaging 16.8 points per contest.

In the Redbirds win at Illinois, Wallen and Maggett combined for 47 of Illinois State’s 74 points. Wallen posted a career-high 26 points and Maggett added 21 points en route to a win on the road at the State Farm Center

Series History

This is the third meeting in a series that dates back to 1995; the Govs trail in the all-time series 0-2, but this will be the first ever matchup in Clarksville, Tennessee.

Last season the Governors made the trip to Normal, Illinois, to take on the Redbirds for the first time since December 3rd, 1995. In a game that was close almost the entire way, the Governors took a one-point lead into the final quarter.

However, Illinois State outscored the Governors 18-5 in the fourth quarter to claim a 61-46 win at Redbird Arena.

Brianah Ferby led the way on the offensive end for the Govs, scoring a team-high 10 points, while Nieja Crawford led the way on the boards, hauling in a team-high seven rebounds.

Illinois State’s Simone Goods posted a game-high 22 points, while TeTe Maggett added another 17 points for the Redbirds.

What to watch for

After starting the season 8-2, Austin Peay State University is off to the second best ten-game start in program history. The 1983-84 and 1984-85 teams each started their season 9-1.

The Governors have a chance to pick up their ninth win of the season before the end of December for the first time in program history.

Austin Peay State University leads the Ohio Valley Conference in scoring offense, averaging 73.4 points per game.

In games played at the Winfield Dunn Center, the Governors are averaging 88.3 points and 15 made three-pointers per game. In the three games played on Dave Loos Court this season, the Govs have outscored opponents 265-194 – an average of 23.6 points per game.

The APSU Govs have deployed a full-court press this season that is forcing 23.4 turnovers per game. That ranks 12th in the NCAA and leads the OVC.

Nationally the Governors rank 10th in three-point field goals made per game (9.5).

In the OVC, the Govs lead the conference in three-point field goals made (95) and three-pointers attempted (289). They also rank second in three-point percentage (32.9%).

The Governors bench averaged 41.5 points per game at the FIU Holiday Hoops Showdown. The Govs reserves are outscoring opponents 351-205 on the season and by an average of 14.6 points per game.

Tickets, please

Governors Courtside Seating returns for the 2019-20 season. Fans can contact the APSU Athletics Ticket Office for courtside seating availability and pricing.

The VIPeay Hoops Experience, available to Black Tie Monocle Society members and above, also returns for 2019-20 after a successful debut last 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 APSU 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.

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