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HomeSportsAustin Peay State University Women hosts Belmont

Austin Peay State University Women hosts Belmont

Austin Peay (11-7 | 2-5 OVC) vs. Belmont (11-7 | 6-1 OVC)

Saturday, January 25th, 2020 | 1:30pm CT
Clarksville, TN | Dunn Center

APSU Women's BasketballClarksville, TN – An in-state battle against one of the Ohio Valley Conference’s top programs in recent years is on deck for the Austin Peay State University (APSU) women’s basketball, when they host a 1:30pm, Saturday, January 25th, 2020 matchup with Belmont in the Dunn Center in a game that will have a vast impact on the OVC regular-season race.

Austin Peay State University Women's Basketball plays Belmont at the Dunn Center, Saturday. (Robert Smith, APSU Sports Information)
Austin Peay State University Women’s Basketball plays Belmont at the Dunn Center, Saturday. (Robert Smith, APSU Sports Information)

The Governors picked up their first home-OVC win of the season last time out, knocking off Tennessee State- 76-58.

The Govs made 11 three-pointers in the game against Tennessee State, and have now hit double-digit triples in back-to-back games for the second time this season.

With Belmont coming to the Dunn Center on Saturday, the Govs have a chance to extend their double-digit three-point streak to three for the first time this season.

About the Belmont Bruins

Coming off a season that saw Belmont win their third-straight Ohio Valley Conference Regular Season title and their fourth-straight OVC Tournament title, the Bruins were picked to repeat as champions in both preseason polls. Belmont’s Ellie Harmeyer was the consensus OVC Preseason Player of the Year, while Harmeyer, Maura Muensterman, and Maddie Wright were all named to the Preseason All-OVC Team.

Harmeyer has led the Bruins, averaging a double-double (17.7 points and 11.2 rebounds) so far this season. Harmeyer ranks 17.7 points per game ranks third in the OVC, while her 11.2 rebounds per game leads the conference. Shooting 46.3 percent from the floor, Harmeyer ranks sixth in the league in field-goal percentage.

Muensterman has been one of the OVC’s top three-point threats this season, averaging 2.2 three-pointers per game — which is good for fifth best in the conference. Muensterman ranks 24th in the OVC, averaging 9.2 points per game.

Belmont has the top scoring defense in the OVC, allowing just 58.8 points per game this season. Despite having the 8th best scoring offense in the OVC, the Bruins stellar defense has allowed the to have a plus 2.3 scoring margin this season. The Bruins lead the conference in field-goal percentage defense (34.6%) and three-point percentage defense (26.1%).

The Bruins plus 7.2 rebounding margin is the second best in the OVC, behind only Southeast Missouri. Belmont leads the league in defensive rebounds this season, averaging 31.4 rebounds per game on the defensive end. The Bruins have pulled down 64 more defensive rebounds than anyone else in the OVC this season.

 

Series History

This is the 18th meeting in a series that dates back to 1982; the APSU Govs trail in the all-time series 11-6, and have lost the last four meetings.

Austin Peay State University welcomed Belmont to the Dunn Center on January 26th, 2019, as the Governors fell, 80-62, in their only meeting with the Bruins last season.

The Governors were led on the offense end by Nieja Crawford, who posted a career-high 19 points, while also knocking down a career-high three three-pointers. Arielle Gonzalez-Varner added another 13 points for the Governors, as the Cincinnati, Ohio, native shot 60 percent from the floor in the contest.

For the Bruins, four players scored in double-figures, led by 26 points from Ellie Harmeyer. Harmeyer scored 13 points from the free-throw line and pulled down 14 rebounds. Darby Maggard added 21 points and five three-pointers, while Maura Muensterman chipped in 16 more points. Jenny Roy posted a triple-double for the Bruins, with ten points, rebounds, and assists.

What to Watch For

Austin Peay State University leads the OVC in three-point field goals made (158) and three-pointers attempted (498).

Nationally, the Govs rank 15th in three-point field goals made per game (8.8).

The APSU Govs have deployed a full-court press this season that is forcing 20.2 turnovers per game. That ranks 18th in the NCAA and leads the OVC.

The Governors rank second in the OVC with a plus 3.89 turnover margin and are the only team in the conference that averages 20 or more forced turnovers per game.

Freshman Shay-Lee Kirby drilled four three-pointers against Tennessee State. It was the first time in OVC play that she has hit multiple triples in a game.

Kirby leads all OVC freshmen with 31 made three-pointers this season.

Arielle Gonzalez-Varner led the Govs with 15 points against Tennessee State, it was the 6th time this season and 14th time in her career she has led the way in scoring.

In OVC play, Ella Sawyer is ranks second among all freshman, averaging 10 points per game in conference play.

The Governors are one of three teams in the OVC that has a positive scoring margin (+1.5), rebounding margin (+0.2), and turnover margin (+3.89).

Austin Peay State University is looking to pick up its first win against Belmont since January 15th, 2015; when the Govs beat the Bruins, 72-59, in the Dunn Center.

Head coach David Midlick is looking to pick up his first career win against the Bruins of Belmont.

The Govs can pick up their first back-to-back OVC wins this season if they can defend the Dunn Center, Saturday.

APSU Tickets

Governors Courtside Seating returns for the 2019-20 season. Fans can contact the Austin Peay State University 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.

 

Austin Peay State University 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 APSU 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. ESPN Clarksville (104.1 FM/540 AM) will carry the radio broadcast locally and online.

 
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