Austin Peay (12-9 | 3-7 OVC) at Tennessee State (2-18 | 0-10 OVC)
Thursday, February 6th, 2020 | 11:00am CT
Nashville, TN | Gentry Center
Clarksville, TN – After two weeks at home, the Austin Peay State University (APSU) women’s basketball team will head back on the road for an in-state, Ohio Valley Conference battle at 11:00am, Thursday, against Tennessee State at the Gentry Center in Nashville.
The Govs and Lady Tigers will square off on ESPN3 as part of a day-night doubleheader; the women’s contest begins at 11:00am as part of Education Day and the men will tip off at 7:30pm.
It will be a quick turnaround for the Governors and Tennessee State, as the two teams met just 14 days ago at the Dunn Center.
Austin Peay State University won the last matchup to extend their winning streak over the Lady Tigers to four games, on that streak the Govs are winning by an average of 19.3 points per contest.
About the Tennessee State Lady Tigers
After finishing in 11th place in the Ohio Valley Conference a season ago, Tennessee State was tabbed to finish there again in Coaches and SID Poll and the Media Poll. The Lady Tigers sit at the bottom of the OVC standings with a 2-18 record and an 0-10 record in league play, they have lost eleven-straight games.
Tennessee State ranks 10th in the OVC, averaging 58.4 points per game. Because the Lady Tigers allow an OVC-high 76.9 points per game, they rank last in the conference with a minus 18.5 scoring margin. Tennessee State also ranks last in the league with a minus 6.6 rebounding margin.
Averaging 12.8 points per game, Taylor Roberts ranks eighth in the OVC and leads the Tennessee State offense. Jazmine Young is the Lady Tigers second leading scorer, she ranks 12th in the conference, averaging 11.3 points per game.
Tennessee State averages 9.9 steals per game, which is the third best mark in the league this season. Jaden Wrightsell ranks second in then OVC, averaging 2.1 steals per game. Roberts averages 1.6 steals per game, which is good for 15th best in the conference.
Tennessee State struggles from three-point range, shooting 25.8 percent from deep, which ranks 11th in the OVC. The Lady Tigers have also made an OVC-low 77 three-pointers this season.
Series History
This is the 63rd meeting in a series that dates back to 1980; the APSU Govs lead the all-time series 35-27, and have won the last four matchups.
to turn the ball over 30 times; while the Governors knocked down 11 three-pointers, rolling to an 18-point, 76-58 victory and their first Ohio Valley Conference win at home this season.
Forcing Tennessee State to turn the ball over 30 times marked the Governors second 30-forced
turnover performance of the season (33 vs. Evansville). The Govs were able to capitalize on the
Lady Tiger’s miscues, scoring 35 points off turnovers. Austin Peay State University was also dialed in from three-point range against the Lady Tigers , shooting 33 percent from deep and knocking down 11 triples. Freshman Shay-Lee Kirby led the three-point attack, connecting four times from downtown en route to 14 points. Arielle Gonzalez-Varner led the way for the Governors on the offensive end, scoring a team-high 15 points, while knocking down a career-high seven free throws. Gonzalez-Varner also pulled down a game-high eight rebounds.
Brandi Ferby and Kasey Kidwell each dished out a game-high four assist to co-lead the Governors in helpers. Ferby also led the Govs with three steals in the contest.
Jazmine Young paced the Tennessee State offense, scoring a game-high 20 points, while shooting 77.8 percent from the floor. Young also dished out four assists and hauled in five rebounds
What to Watch For
Nationally, Austin Peay State University ranks 14th in three-point field goals made per game (8.7), 15th in three-point field goals made (183), and 7th in three-point field goals attempted (582).
The Govs defense is averaging 21.2 turnovers forced per game, which ranks 18th in the country and leads the Ohio Valley Conference.
The APSU Governors lead the OVC with a plus 4.33 turnover margin and are the only team in the conference that has forced more than 400 turnovers this season.
The Govs have rolled out a different starting five in each of the last three games, with D’Shara Booker getting the nod for her second career start, and first OVC start, against Eastern Illinois, February 1st.
Shay-Lee Kirby led the Governors with 11 points last time out against Eastern Illinois, February 1st, it was the third time she has led the way in scoring during her freshman campaign.
Austin Peay State University’s 18 made three-pointer performance against Kentucky Wesleyan, November 5th, in the season opener is tied for the third best team single-game total in the NCAA this season.
On the Govs current four-game winning streak over Tennessee State, they are winning by an average of 19.3 points per contest.
After four seasons as an assistant at Tennessee State, David Midlick is now 4-1 as a head coach against the Lady Tigers.
The Governors are looking to win their fifth-straight game against the Lady Tigers of Tennessee State.
Tickets
Austin Peay State University 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.
Austin Peay State University 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.
