CARBONDALE, Ill. - Austin Peay State University women's basketball squad suffered a scoring drought of more than six minutes in the first half and saw a chance to avoid a third-straight loss slip away in a 76-64 non-conference loss to Southern Illinois, Sunday afternoon at SIU Arena.

The scoring drought wasn't the only thing that did in the Lady Govs as Southern Illinois dominated nearly all aspects of the contest. But it was that drought that put Austin Peay in a position it could not recover, turning a 15-15 deadlocked affair into a 33-15 deficit with 5:28 left in the first half.

"I believe we're playing not to lose instead of playing to win," said Lady Govs head coach Carrie Daniels. "I know there is talent and capabilities on this team but we're not playing up to those abilities. It's disappointing and frustrating but we've got to continue pushing and plugging away and hopefully one day it will click and we'll see our potential on the court."

Southern Illinois (1-4) never trailed in the contest, fending off four Austin Peay attempts to take the lead in the first nine minutes of the contest. The Salukis forced just 14 turnovers from the Lady Govs but converted those miscues into 23 points courtesy its fast-break offensive attack.

Austin Peay (1-6) also hurt its cause with 22 fouls that led to 34 Southern Illinois free-throw opportunities. The Salukis were unflappable at the free-throw line, making a season-best 28 (82.4 percent). The Lady Govs also posted season bests in all three free-throw categories, making 17-of-24 (70.8 percent), but could not keep pace.

Down by 18 points after the drought, Austin Peay seemingly woke up and scored the game's next 10 points as senior Brooke Faulkner and junior Whitney Hanley each made a pair of field goals, including a three-pointer each. Southern Illinois scored just before the half expired, taking a 35-25 lead into halftime.

Austin Peay continued its run in the second half, consistently pushing the ball towards the basket for quality offensive opportunities. The Lady Govs would cut the lead to two points, 43-41, completing a 24-10 run that spanned five minutes on each side of halftime.

"We talked a lot about how we have to attack the basket and not settle for jump shots," Daniels said. "I think when teams go on runs and the game gets away from us we settle on the perimeter shot. When the perimeter shot is in the flow of the offense I'm alright with that shot. However, when we make the defense work and look inside-out offensively our offense works better."

However, the Lady Govs could not find a go-ahead basket, getting no closer than one-point with 13:27 remaining. Southern Illinois used a 13-4 run over the next five minutes to rebuild its lead to ten points, 58-48, and never looked back.

Hanley led Austin Peay with her second-straight 20-point performance. Junior Jasmine Rayner came off the bench to score 16 points and grab a team-best six rebounds. Freshman Nicole Olszewski finished with 10 points, three assists and three steals.

"It's no surprise Whitney is playing well," said Daniel. "She's worked her tail off every day in practice. Whitney is giving her best effort to us on a daily basis. If everyone gave us that kind of effort consistently we'd have the double figures from others on a consistent basis."

Southern Illinois had five players reach double-digit scoring territory, led by Sidney Goins 22-point effort off the bench. Katrina Swingler led the Salukis rebounding effort, finishing with 13 points and 10 rebounds.

Austin Peay opens Ohio Valley Conference play with a 5:30 p.m., Thursday contest at Southeast Missouri.

-AP-