Austin Peay women's basketball team returns to its second season when it hosts Morehead State in a 5:15 p.m., Saturday, Ohio Valley Conference contest at the Dunn Center.
Austin Peay returns home after playing six of its seven December contests on the road, posting a 3-4 record during the month. The Lady Govs are 1-1 in conference play with a win at Southeast Missouri, Dec. 4, followed by a loss at Eastern Illinois, Dec. 6.
Morehead State is amidst its season's longest roadtrip ? a seven-game stretch that began Dec. 17 during which they have gone 1-4 in the first five games prior to visiting Clarksville. The Eagles are 2-0 in league play after home victories against Tennessee Martin and Murray State, the latter an overtime victory.
Saturday's affair promises a battle on the glass. Morehead State enters the contest leading the OVC with 41.5 rebounds per game while Austin Peay is ranked fourth, averaging 38.9 per game. However, the Lady Govs are the second stingiest squad, allowing opponents just 35.5 rebounds per game while the Eagles are ranked last in the league, permitting 45.7 rebounds per outing.
ABOUT AUSTIN PEAY...
Austin Peay dropped to 5-8 after a 93-61 loss at No. 2 North Carolina, Tuesday. The Lady Govs went 1-1 during their two-game stay in North Carolina, including an 81-63 victory against Elon, Sunday.
Rebounding has been APSU's biggest story in the last five games. As it has posted four 40-plus rebounding efforts in its last five outings following a season-low 26 rebounds at Eastern Illinois, Dec. 6. The Lady Govs have averaged 46.4 rebounds per game in their last five outings, including a 57-rebound performance at Alabama, Dec. 20. Austin Peay also has posted a +9.4 rebounding margin in that same span.
Individually, junior Nicole Jamen leads Austin Peay with 10.8 points per game, ranking 17th among all OVC players. On the glass, three APSU players are ranked among the OVC's top 15: senior April Thomas (7.4 rpg, 6th), junior Nicole Jamen (6.8 rpg, 7th), and Herring (5.9 rpg, 13th). The Lady Govs are the only team with three players among the league's top 15 in rebounding.
A GLANCE AT MOREHEAD STATE
Morehead State is amidst a seven-game stretch away from Johnson Arena and most recently completed a 1-2 stay at the Louisville Cardinal Classic. The Eagles played three games in three days in Louisville and sandwiched a victory against New Hampshire between losses to No. 10 Louisville and Central Michigan.
The Eagles are a team of contrasts, boasting an unblemished 7-0 record in Morehead but are winless in five true road games. Furthermore, Morehead State ranks sixth nationally in blocked shots (6.7 bpg) but also is a prolific three-point shooting team, ranking third nationally in three-point field goals made per game (8.6 pg).
Individually, junior Brittany Pittman is a 6-3 force inside, entering the Christmas break ranked second nationally in blocked shots (5.9 bpg) and 16th in rebounding (10.1 rpg). Outside, its junior Tiffany Hamilton and sophomore Chynna Bozeman who lead the Eagles' three-point attack, ranking 27th and 63rd nationally in three-point field goals made, respectively.
NEXT UP: LADY GOVS vs. EASTERN KENTUCKY...
Austin Peay and Eastern Kentucky meet for the 65th time, Monday, but it will be the first meeting between APSU head coach Carrie Daniels and first-year EKU head coach Chrissy Roberts. The Lady Colonels have won the last four meetings in the series and seven of the last eight dating to the 2004-05 campaign.
