Louisville, KY – Austin Peay State University (APSU) women’s basketball team tied the program record for its fewest turnovers in a game and shot over 45 percent from both the field and beyond the arch in a 72-52 ASUN Conference victory against Bellarmine, Thursday, at Freedom Hall.
Austin Peay’s (13-7, 8-2 ASUN) five turnovers are the fewest in a road game in program history and match a 2007 contest against Southeast Missouri for the fewest in any game in program history.
The Governors earned their second-straight wire-to-wire win and outscored Bellarmine (7-16, 3-7 ASUN) in all four quarters.
Jada Roberson opened the game with a driving layup to put the Govs up two in the game’s first 90 seconds which was then answered by a Knights’ basket inside the arc for the first – and only – tied instance of the game.
Tiya Douglas’ first of three triples followed by Gabby Zapata Smalls’ first of a season-high six baskets gave Austin Peay a 7-2 advantage with 6:29 remaining in the opening quarter.
An 8-4 run by the Knights cut the Govs’ lead to one in frame’s final three minutes, but Austin Peay forced four-straight BU misses and made back-to-back shots between the lane to hold a 15-10 advantage at the end of the quarter.
The APSU Govs scored 12 of their 15 first-quarter points in the paint and held Bellarmine to just four shots on 13 attempts.
Anala Nelson extended the Govs’ lead to eight with a three-pointer on the second quarter’s opening possession and gave the Govs their first double-digit lead of the afternoon with a perfect trip to the charity stripe two minutes later.
Bellarmine brought it within single digits following the quarter’s media break, but a pair of back-to-back threes by Nelson and Douglas extended the Govs’ lead and sparked a 13-6 run to end the half.
Austin Peay State University’s 27 second-quarter points are its second most in any quarter this season, trailing only a 32-point fourth quarter against Murray State, on December 13th.
The APSU Govs led 50-30 four minutes into the third quarter after holding the Knights to just one make on their first four attempts from the field.
A layup by Nelson on a back-door cutter along the baseline resulted in the Govs reaching the half-century mark 25 minutes in and gave the freshmen her third double-figure performance in the last five games.
Despite the Knights making four of their five shots from the field after the quarter’s media break, Austin Peay State University still led by 16 heading into the final 10 minutes.
The APSU Govs opened the fourth quarter on a 9-2 run and held a game-high 23-point lead with 6:22 remaining in regulation after not allowing a Knights shot from the field until the 6:04 mark in the period.
A basket by Bellarmine’s Gracie Merkle cut Austin Peay State University’s lead to 67-46 with 4:36 remaining and was the only basket by either side for nearly three minutes.
With the result all but decided, Austin Peay State University and Bellarmine traded scores to end the fourth quarter and a Mahogany Vaught three-pointer on the game’s penultimate possession, securing the 20-point win for the Governors
The Difference
Ball control and efficiency. As stated above, Austin Peay State University’s five turnovers are tied for its fewest in a game in program history and two fewer than any road game in program history as well. Six Governors also shot at least 50 percent from the field in the win.
Inside the Box Score
Austin Peay State University improved to 2-0 all-time against Bellarmine and 89-74 against ASUN Conference opponents.
Brittany Young earned her 33rd win as head coach of the Governors which is tied for the second most by a head coach in their first two seasons in program history. Young needs just two more wins to pass Pam Davidson (1979-81) for the record.
Austin Peay State University has won 15 of its last 16 games in the state of Kentucky.
APSU scored 70-plus points in back-to-back points for the first time this season and the eighth time under Young.
The Governors have won 23 straight games when scoring 70 or more points and are 15-0 under Young when reaching the mark.
Gabby Zapata Smalls scored a season-high 12 points in the win.
Anala Nelson’s 12 points are one off her career high which she set against Liberty last Thursday.
Austin Peay State University improved to 13-2 when it outshoots its opponent and also 13-2 when it holds its opponent to under 45 percent from the field.
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The APSU Govs extended their streak of consecutive games with a three-pointer to 486 after Tiya Douglas’ triple with 6:53 remaining in the first quarter.
Austin Peay State University held the Knights to 9.1 percent from three-point range – its best three-point defense this season. The Govs’ one allowed triple is tied for its best mark defensively this season and is its fewest allowed threes in ASUN play.
APSU’s seven threes are tied for its second-most in a game this season, trailing only an 11-three-pointer outing against Cumberland in the season opener.
Austin Peay State University now has held opponents to under 40 percent from the field 12 times this season.
The APSU Govs earned their second wire-to-wire win of the season and 10th in the last two seasons.
Austin Peay State University’s 40 points in the paint are its second-most this season, trailing only a 46-PIP outing against Murray State, on December 13th. APSU is 12-2 when it outscores its opponent between the lanes.
Adams’ four steals are the most by a Gov since Tiya Douglas had five steals at Chattanooga, on November 12th.
Next Up For APSU Women’s Basketball
The Austin Peay State University women’s basketball team continues its Bluegrass State road trip with a Saturday contest at 3:00pm CT against Eastern Kentucky at Baptist Health Arena in Richmond, Kentucky.
