CLARKSVILLE, Tenn. ? A first-half ending drought that lasted 11-plus minutes proved enough to doom Austin Peay State University women's basketball team in a 69-56 Ohio Valley Conference loss to Eastern Illinois, Thursday night, at the Dunn Center.

Austin Peay (13-15, 9-8 OVC) scored just six points in the first half's final 11:36 ? making two field goals and two free throws ? and a 13-13 tie turned into a 35-19 halftime deficit. The half-ending burst overshadowed an Austin Peay start that saw them score the game's first five points and never trailing by more than a field goal in the opening eight minutes. 

Eastern Illinois (21-8, 14-3 OVC) expanded the lead to 26 points with 11:08 remaining in the second half before Austin Peay mustered a pair of runs to narrow the deficit. The Lady Govs first run ? a 10-2 burst over four minutes ? was countered by an 8-2 Panthers run over the next three minutes. However, Austin Peay closed the game with a 13-2 run to set the final score.

Sophomore Salem Richardson led Austin Peay with 11 points and grabbed six rebounds. Sophomore Ashley Herring chipped in 10 points and seven rebounds. Senior April Thomas finished just shy of a fifth straight double-double, scoring nine points and grabbing eight rebounds.

Eastern Illinois senior Rachel Galligan led all scorers with 22 points and made 10-of-13 from the field after making her first seven field goals. Senior Ellen Canale chipped in 12 points. Eastern Illinois made 54 percent (27-of-50) of its field goals in the contest while holding Austin Peay to 32.3 percent (20-of-62) shooting.

Austin Peay ? currently sixth in the league standings ? closes out its regular-season schedule with a 5:15 p.m., Saturday contest against Southeast Missouri, which is tied for fourth place. Thomas, the lone senior on this season's squad, will be recognized prior to the 7:30 p.m. Austin Peay men's basketball contest.

- AP -