COOKEVILLE, Tenn. ? With its guards held in check for most of the game, Austin Peay State University women's basketball team dropped a 65-52 Ohio Valley Conference decision at Tennessee Tech, Thursday night.

It was Austin Peay's fifth consecutive loss as they fall to 4-8 overall and 1-2 in league play. Tennessee Tech snapped an 11-game losing streak with the victory, improving to 2-11 overall and 1-2 in conference action.

Austin Peay's guards were held without a point until freshman Alex Bivens' field goal with 6:56 remaining. The five guards combined were 3-of-21 from the field, including 1-of-9 from three-point range. Meanwhile, the Lady Govs front court combined for 44 points and was 15-of-34 from the field, including 5-of-6 from three-point range.

The Lady Govs made good use of the dominant front court play early and led by eight points several times in the opening period. A three-point field goal by sophomore Janay Armstrong gave Austin Peay what proved to be its final eight-point margin, 18-10, with 10:59 remaining.

Tennessee Tech closed that gap with a 12-4 run over the next seven minutes, tying the game at 22-22 on freshman Mandy Mendenhall's three-point field goal at the 3:32 mark. Kellea Reeves' field goal and Armstrong's second three-point field goal pushed the APSU lead back to five with 2:13 left, but they would not score again in the period. The Golden Eagles closed the frame with eight consecutive points and led 30-27 at the break.

Following the break, Austin Peay climbed back within one point, 36-35, after a pair of Armstrong free throws. Tennessee Tech responded with 10 consecutive points to post the game's first double-digit lead, 48-36, with 10:24 remaining. The lead would reach 18 points with less than two minutes remaining before the Lady Govs scored the game's final five points.

Freshman Ashley Herring led the Lady Govs with 17 points, making 6-of-10 from the field and 3-of-4 from three point range. Armstrong added 10 points and four rebounds in 15 minutes off the bench. Sophomore April Thomas added eight points, a team-best five rebounds and three steals.

Senior Kristina Tyler scored a career-high 29 points ? on 11-of-22 field goal shooting ? and grabbed nine rebounds, blocked four shots and nabbed six steals. Freshman Mandy Mendenhall posted career highs with 11 points and eight rebounds.

Tennessee Tech dominated the final box score, including out-shooting Austin Peay ? 40.7-32.7 percent and out-rebounding APSU, 43-36.

Austin Peay returns to action when it hosts Jacksonville State in a 5:30 p.m., Saturday contest at the Dunn Center.

 

- AP -