Austin Peay (9-5 | 0-3 OVC) at Jacksonville State (6-8 | 2-1 OVC)
Saturday, January 11th, 2020 | 1:45pm CT
Jacksonville, AL | Pete Mathews Coliseum
Clarksville, TN – After one of the best starts to a season in program history, the Austin Peay State University (APSU) women’s basketball team has dropped its first three games to start Ohio Valley Conference play; the Governors will look to get in the win column when they play a 1:45pm, Saturday, game against Jacksonville State.
Saturday’s tilt in Pete Matthews Coliseum will feature two teams with completely opposite styles of play.
The Governors look to play fast and push the tempo, they average 70.5 points per game and have attempted 909 field goals this season.
The Gamecocks will look to slow the game down and play in the half court, they average just 61.5 points per game and have only attempted 781 field goals this season.
About the Jacksonville Gamecocks
Jacksonville State entered Ohio Valley Conference play at 4-7, and after losing to Morehead State in their OVC opener, the Gamecocks have won back-to-back games. First, Jacksonville State went on the road and knocked off Eastern Kentucky, 43-33, and then they beat Murray State, 68-51, back home at Pete Matthews Coliseum.
The Gamecocks were picked to finish fifth in the OVC Coaches and SIDs Preseason Poll. In the OVC Media Preseason Poll, Jacksonville State was tabbed to finish sixth — the Gamecocks were picked immediately behind the Governors in both polls.
Jacksonville State returns two of its three leading scorers from the 2018-19 season in Destiney Elliot and Taylor Hawks. Hawks is averaging 13 points and 4.2 rebounds per game to lead the Gamecocks in scoring this season. Hawks has been even better in OVC play, averaging 15 points per game, while shooting 42.9 percent from the floor and 53.8 percent from three-point range. Elliot averages 12.8 points and leads the team in rebounding, averaging 6.8 rebounds per contest.
The Gamecocks have been one of the lower scoring teams in the OVC this season, averaging only 61.5 points per game, but they hold opponents to just 62.9 points on average. In three OVC games, Jacksonville State has slowed the game down even more and is averaging only 53 points per game, but they are holding opponents to just 50.3 points per game.
Last Time Out Against Jackonsville State
On February 2nd, 2019, the Governors fell to Jacksonville State, 67-56, in Pete Matthews Coliseum, marking the Govs fourth straight loss to the Gamecocks.
Brianah Ferby pulled down six rebounds to lead the Govs, it was the third time in her career that she led the team in rebounding.
For Jacksonville State, Destiney Elliot knocked down 11 free-throws en route to a game-high 21 points. Rayven Pearson pulled down a game-high 16 rebounds and chipped in 13 points for the Gamecocks.
What to Watch For
Austin Peay State University leads the OVC in three-point field goals made (125) and three-pointers attempted (398). They are third in the league in three-point percentage (31.4%).
The Governors rank third in the Ohio Valley Conference in scoring offense (70.5 ppg).
Nationally, the APSU Govs rank 17th in three-point field goals made per game (8.9).
The Govs have deployed a full-court press this season that is forcing 21.9 turnovers per game. That ranks 15th in the NCAA and leads the OVC.
The APSU Governors own an OVC-best plus 4.71 turnover margin and are the only team in the conference that averages 20 or more forced turnovers per game.
Senior Arielle Gonzalez-Varner posted her season’s fifth double-double (10 points and 11 rebounds) against Tennessee Tech – it was the 12th double-double of her career.
In OVC play, Ella Sawyer leads freshman in scoring, averaging 10.7 points per game.
Gonzalez-Varner is averaging 15.7 points per game and is shooting an OVC-best 64.5 percent from the floor in conference games.
Austin Peay State University is one of two teams in the OVC that has a positive scoring margin (+3.2), rebounding margin (+1.6), and turnover margin (+4.71).
Tahanee Bennell posted 12 points to lead the Governors in scoring against Tennessee Tech, it was the first time she had led the offense since December 19th against Binghamton (15 points).
The APSU Governors are looking two end a pair of streaks on Saturday — their first losing streak of the season and a four-game losing streak against Jacksonville State.
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. You can also purchase tickets online at www.LetsGoPeay.com/buytickets; be sure to access the new 360-degree view of the Dunn Center when purchasing tickets.
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.
