CLARKSVILLE, Tenn. ? Austin Peay State University women's basketball team finished the Ohio Valley Conference's first half with an 82-57 victory against Jacksonville State, Saturday night, at the Dunn Center.

The Lady Govs (10-10, 6-3 OVC) got off to a sluggish start as the two teams traded the lead eight times over the opening 12 minutes. Jacksonville State enjoyed its last lead, 18-17, with 8:46 remaining. The Lady Govs broke open the game with 11 consecutive points over the next 3:55 to take a 28-18 lead with 4:51 left.

Jacksonville State (4-15, 1-8) was able to remain within sight, trailing by 14, 39-25, at halftime and cutting the lead to nine points, 48-39, with 14:48 remaining. However, Austin Peay later used a 13-3 scoring burst to push the lead to 20 points, 68-48, with 6:23 remaining and would not be threatened the game's remainder. Austin Peay closed the game with a 14-4 run to push the final margin to 25 points, the game's largest margin.

Five Lady Govs players reached double digit scoring territory. Freshman Whitney Hanley lead all scorers with 19 points, making 7-of-11 from the field. Senior April Thomas and sophomore Brooke Faulkner each added 14 points. Sophomore Ashley Herring chipped in 12 points and junior Nicole Jamen posted 11 points.

Austin Peay shot 52.6 percent (30-of-57) from the field, including a season-best 47.4 percent (9-of-19) from three-point range. The Lady Govs also won the rebounding battle, 37-25.

Junior Jolie Efezokhae led Jacksonville State with 13 points. Freshman Brittany Wiley and sophomore Charlease Williams each added 12 points.

Austin Peay returns to action with a 4:30 p.m. (CT), Tuesday league contest at Eastern Kentucky.

- AP -