RICHMOND, Ky. ? Austin Peay State University women's basketball team led wire-to-wire en route to a 67-51 Ohio Valley Conference victory against Eastern Kentucky, Tuesday night, at McBrayer Arena.

Austin Peay (11-10, 7-3 OVC) scored on its opening possession courtesy senior April Thomas' tip-in at the 19:26 mark. The Lady Govs would maintain its lead throughout the opening period and closed the frame with an 8-3 scoring run to take a 29-20 halftime lead.

Eastern Kentucky (6-13, 3-7 OVC) capitalized on a pair of uncharacteristic APSU miscues in the second half to cut the lead to six points. The Lady Govs were charged with a pair of technical fouls, one at 17:55 and the other at 16:55 that contributed to a 6-3 burst, slashing the lead to six points, 37-31, after the second technical foul.

Following a media time out, Austin Peay regained its composure and pieced together a 21-5 burst over the next 10 minutes which pushed the lead to 19 points, 53-34, with 7:30 remaining and they would not be threatened again. The game-deciding burst was made possible due to a dominating post game which made nine field goals in the paint during the run.

Senior April Thomas and junior Nicole Jamen ? Austin Peay's starting forwards ? combined for 34 of the Lady Govs 67 points. Thomas recorded her season's eighth double-double, a 16-point, 11-rebound performance. Jamen chipped in a team-best 18 points and grabbed nine rebounds. The duo helped the Lady Govs post a 36-22 edge in points in the paint.

Freshman Kayla Drake led Eastern Kentucky with 19 points. Collette Cole added 13 points and nine rebounds.

Austin Peay returns to Death Valley with a 3 p.m. (CT), Saturday, league contest at Morehead State.