CLARKSVILLE, Tenn. ? Austin Peay State University women's basketball team nearly watched a 21-point halftime lead disappear, but made its free throws in a 70-66 Ohio Valley Conference victory against Eastern Kentucky, Monday night.

Austin Peay (7-8, 3-1 OVC) broke out of the gate quickly, scoring the game's first nine points and taking its first double-digit lead, 14-4, at the 14:37 mark. Eastern Kentucky would get back within five points, but APSU scored six straight as part of a 14-3 run to build a 16-point, 28-12 advantage with 7:29 left. A Lauren Jones three-point field goal set the halftime score, 38-17.

Eastern Kentucky (4-8, 1-3) flipped the script in the second half, scoring the half's first 13 points and slashing its deficit to eight points, 38-30, with 15:39 remaining. The Lady Colonels would trim the lead to four points on a Cherie White layup with 11:32 remaining.

However, the Lady Govs would make seven of their eight free throws over the next two minutes and a Whitney Hanley three-point field goal with 8:55 remaining pushed the lead back to 13 points, 50-37. 

Free throws would dominate the latter half of the frame as both teams were in double-bonus territory with 9:07 remaining. The Lady Govs would make 14-of-18 from the free-throw line in those final nine minutes, including 9-of-12 in the final minute. Eastern Kentucky got a pair of three-point field goals, a two-point field goal and made four free throws, but was matched point-for-point by APSU at the free-throw line.

Austin Peay was held below 40 rebounds for the first time in four games and was outrebounded, 39-36. After making 42.4 percent (14-of-33) from the field in the opening half, the Lady Govs made just 26.3 percent (5-of-19) in the second half. APSU did make a season-best 25 free throws and made 83.3 percent (30 attempts) of its free throws.

Eastern Kentucky recovered from a 25.9 percent (7-of-27) first-half shooting effort to make 50 percent (14-of-28) in the second half.

Senior April Thomas led Austin Peay with her third consecutive double-double, scoring 19 points and grabbing a game-best 10 rebounds. Sophomore Ashley Herring led all scorers with 21 points, including 15 second half points.

Kayla Drake led Eastern Kentucky with 20 points and Colette Cole added 19 points.

Austin Peay returns to action with a 5:30 p.m., Thursday contest at Tennessee Martin.

- AP -