Austin Peay (9-2 | 0-0 OVC) vs. Southeast Missouri (8-3 | 0-0 OVC)
Thursday, January 2nd, 2020 | 5:30pm CT
Clarksville, TN | Dunn Center
Clarksville, TN – After winning nine games before the end of December for the first time in program history, Austin Peay State University (APSU) women’s basketball is set to kick off Ohio Valley Conference play with a 5:30pm, Thursday, contest against Southeast Missouri in the Dunn Center.
On the first night of OVC action this season, the league’s top-two offenses will meet up in Clarksville.
Southeast Missouri leads the league in scoring offense, averaging 75.4 points per game; while the Governors rank second in the conference, posting 73.7 points per game.
After Thursday’s tilt with the Redhawks, the Governors will welcome UT Martin to the Dunn Center for a 1:30pm, Saturday, matchup.
About the Southeast Missouri Redbirds
After finishing eighth in the OVC a season ago, Southeast Missouri was tabbed to finish sixth in the league this season. The Redhawks enter OVC play with an 8-2 record, and a win over the University of Mississippi, 70-53, on December 14th in Oxford, Mississippi.
After averaging 18.2 points per game and being named a First Team All-OVC selection last season, Tesia Thompson returns for her junior season. Thompson is the Redhawks second leading scorer and leading rebounder this season, averaging 16.1 points adn 6.9 rebounds per game.
Redshirt senior Carrie Shepard is leading the way for the Redhawks this season, averaging 18.4 points and 3.7 assists per game. Taelour Pruitt and Jess Harshberger round out the Redhawks scoring in double-figures, averaging 11 and 10.1 points, respectively.
Southeast Missouri leads the OVC in scoring offense, averaging 75.4 points per contest. The Redhawks also lead the league in scoring margin, averaging 10.5 more points per game than their opponent.
Series History
This is the 62nd meeting in a series that dates back to 1989; the Govs lead the all-time series 34-27, and have won six out of the last seven matchups.
The Governors picked up a win last time out against Southeast Missouri (2/21/19), knocking off the Redhawks, 56-54, in the Dunn Center.
Arielle Gonzalez-Varner led the way for the Govs, posting a team-high 13 points and 9 rebounds. Maggie Knowles added 12 more points, with all four of her made field-goals coming from three-point range.
Finally, Keisha Gregory rounded out the Govs in double-figures, scoring 10 points, with six of them coming from the charity stripe.
What to Watch For
By starting the season 9-2, Austin Peay State University is off to the second best eleven-game start in program history. The 1983-84 and 1984-85 teams each started their season 10-1.
The Governors picked up their ninth win of the season against Illinois State, December 29th — marking the first time in program history that the Govs have won nine games before the end of December.
For the second time this season, two Governors picked up Ohio Valley Conference weekly honors in the same week. Arielle Gonzalez-Varner was named OVC Player of the Week and Shay-Lee Kirby was named the Co-Freshman of the Week.
The Govs lead the Ohio Valley Conference in three-point field goals made (106), three-pointers attempted (316), and three-point percentage (33.5%).
The Govs have deployed a full-court press this season that is forcing 23.2 turnovers per game. That ranks 9th in the NCAA and leads the OVC.
Nationally the Governors rank 9th in three-point field goals made per game (9.6).
The Governors bench is averaging 35.4 points per game this season. The Govs reserves are outscoring opponents 389-224 on the season and by an average of 15 points per game.
At the end of the non-conference slate, the Govs lead the OVC with nine non-conference wins.
In games played at the Dunn Center, the Govs are averaging 85.5 points and 14 three-pointers per game. The Govs have outscored opponents 342-266 in games played on Dave Loos Court, and by an average of 19 points per game.
Austin Peay State University Tickets
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.
