CLARKSVILLE, Tenn. ? Four Austin Peay State University women's basketball players reached double-digit scoring territory in a 68-47 exhibition victory against Division II Christian Brothers, Tuesday night, at the Dunn Center.

Freshman Ashley Herring had three field goals in the opening three minutes as the Lady Govs jumped out to an 8-2 lead with 17:45 remaining. Austin Peay's lead would reach 14 points, 19-5, after a layup by junior Kellea Reeves. Christian Brothers was able to hold the line from that point through the half's end as Austin Peay took a 36-19 lead into the break.

The two teams traded baskets through the second half's first 13 minutes when a pair of Christian Brothers free throws trimmed the lead to 18 points, 54-36, with 7:38 remaining. From there, Austin Peay broke the game open with a 14-2 run over the next four minutes. That run was helped by APSU converting six straight free throw attempts and back-to-back lay-ups by junior April Thomas. Freshman Alex Bivens lay-up with 3:37 remaining gave the Lady Govs a 30-point, 68-38, advantage. At that point the Lady Govs brought in their five reserves and Christian Brothers closed the game with the final nine points.

“I believe we came out and executed and did some really good things but then we got complacent,” said Lady Govs head coach Carrie Daniels.” It was kind of an up and down game, but the good thing is it's an exhibition and it doesn't count. We can look at it on film and talk about what we did and didn't do tonight and work on it in practice so we don't have those same problems against Chattanooga.”

Herring led all scorers with 16 points on 6-of-9 field-goal shooting and grabbed nine rebounds. Thomas posted a 13-point, 11-rebound, double-double performance which included four offensive rebounds and four steals. Senior Ashlee McGee added 14 points and Reeves chipped in 10 points off the bench.

Austin Peay won the turnover battle, forcing 26 turnovers while committing 19. APSU also posted a 48-32 rebounding margin that included 18 offensive rebounds ? leading to 16 second-chance points. The Lady Govs out-shot the Lady Bucs, making 37 percent (24-of-65) against CBU's 32 percent (15-of-47). However, Austin Peay failed to make a three-point field goal in 10 attempts while Christian Brothers made 8-of-24 (33.3 percent) from beyond the three-point arc.

“I like our flexibility right now,” said Daniels. “We have multiple players who able to step up on any given night. Tonight we wanted to try different combinations and get everyone out there for some minutes for the experience. I don't know how that's going to play out during the season but I feel comfortable playing any of them that are suited up. I believe it will help us during the upcoming season because we won't have one player for an opponent to focus on and it gives up some options offensively.”

Kat Butler led Christian Brothers with 14 points, including a 4-of-7 effort from three-point range. Tameka Wooten added 11 points.

Austin Peay opens the 2007-08 regular season with a 7 p.m., Friday contest against Chattanooga at the Dunn Center.

- AP -