41.9 F
Clarksville
Friday, March 29, 2024
HomeSportsAPSU Women's Basketball play UT Martin at home, Saturday

APSU Women’s Basketball play UT Martin at home, Saturday

Austin Peay (9-3 | 0-1 OVC) vs. UT Martin (5-7 | 1-0 OVC)

Saturday, January 4th, 2020 | 1:30pm CT
Clarksville, TN | Dunn Center

APSU Women's BasketballClarksville, TN -After opening the Ohio Valley Conference slate on Thursday, the Austin Peay State University (APSU) women’s basketball is back in action at 1:30pm, Saturday, when they welcome one of their oldest foes, the Skyhawks of UT Martin, to the Dunn Center.

Austin Peay State University Women's Basketball looks for first OVC Win when they take on UT Martin at the Dunn Center, Saturday afternoon. (APSU Sports Information)
Austin Peay State University Women’s Basketball looks for first OVC Win when they take on UT Martin at the Dunn Center, Saturday afternoon. (APSU Sports Information)

The Governors enter Saturday’s contest against UT Martin in search of their first OVC win of the season.

Saturday’s game against the Skyhawks will also be Govs fans last chance to catch Austin Peay State University in action at the Dunn Center for a while, as the Governors hit the road for their next four OVC games.

The Govs will not be back in action in Clarksville until a 5:30pm, January 23rd, tilt with Tennessee State.

About the UT Martin Skyhawks

The Skyhawks of UT Martin received nine first-place votes, but were tabbed to finished second in the OVC coaches and SID Preseason Poll.

In the media poll the Skyhawks picked up a single first-place vote and were selected to finish third. Junior forwards Chelsey Perry and Maddie Waldrop were both named to the Preseason All-OVC Team, Perry was an All-OVC Second Team selection last season.

Chelsey Perry has been as advertised this season, leading UT Martin in scoring (18.9 ppg) and rebounding (7.9 ppg).The Middleton, Tennessee, native has scored 18 or more points in seven games this season, including a career-high 42-point explosion against Lipscomb, December 16th.

After averaging 8.1 points in her first season, redshirt sophomore Damiah Griffin has found another gear, averaging 12 points per game this year. Griffin posted a career-high 25 points against No. 6 Louisville.

UT Martin went on the road and routed Murray State, 89-64, in their OVC opener, Thursday. Perry led the way for the Skyhawks, posting a 20 point, 10 rebound double-double. Waldrop added another 15 points for UT Martin, and missed a double-double by a single rebound. Griffin also scored 15 points for the Skyhawks, knocking down a game-high three three-pointers.

Series History

This is the 83rd meeting in a series that dates back to 1976; the Govs lead the all-time series 43-39.

The Governors took an 11 point lead into halftime last time out against UT Martin, but were unable to fend off a second-half comeback from the Skyhawks and fell, 59-58, on February 23rd, 2019, in the Dunn Center.

That day the Govs were led on the offensive end by Keisha Gregory. The Johnson City, Tennessee, native posted 19 points and four assists. Maggie Knowles added eight points and four rebounds, while Arielle Gonzalez-Varner chipped in another seven points and six boards.

What to watch for

The 9-3 Governors are off to the third best 12-game start in program history, and the best in David Midlick‘s five years at the helm.

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.

APSU ranks second in the Ohio Valley Conference in scoring offense (73.1 ppg).

The Govs lead the OVC in three-point field goals made (112) and three-pointers attempted (339). They rank second in three-point percentage (33%).

In games played at the Winfield Dunn Center, the Governors are 4-1 and averaging 81 points per game.

The Govs have deployed a full-court press this season that is forcing 22.3 turnovers per game. That ranks 14th in the NCAA and leads the OVC.

Nationally the Governors rank 10th in three-point field goals made per game (9.3).

Last time out against Southeast Missouri, freshman Ella Sawyer led the Governors in scoring for the first time in her career, matching her career-high with 16 points.

All-time the Governors are 21-16 against UT Martin in games played in Clarksville, Tennessee.

 

APSU 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.

RELATED ARTICLES

Latest Articles