NASHVILLE - Austin Peay State University women's basketball team could not overcome an outsized night of foul trouble, losing to Tennessee State, 95-81, Thursday night at the Gentry Center in the Ohio Valley Conference opener for both teams.

Austin Peay (3-11, 0-1 OVC), which trailed by just eight points at the half, was charged with 25 second-half fouls. Whitney Hanley was the first Lady Govs player to foul out of the contest, picking up her fifth with 8:29 remaining in the period. Before the contest ended she was joined by Meghan Bussabarger and Jasmine Rayner.

Tennessee State (5-10, 1-0 OVC) reached the double bonus with 11:27 left in the game and ultimately went to the free throw line 40 times in the second half. The Lady Tigers capitalized on the opportunities, making 32 second-half free throws to help keep Austin Peay at bay most of the period.

"This was not the way we wanted to open up OVC play," said Lady Govs head coach Carrie Daniels. "We won't be successful sending a team to the free-throw line 48 times . We have to do a better job playing defense, not fouling and giving them those opportunities."

The Lady Govs scored the game's first six points and led by seven points, 9-2, less than five minutes into the game. Tennessee State rallied and took its first lead just one minute later. However, the Lady Tigers took control of the half with 15 consecutive points over a nearly five minute span and led by 12 points, 38-26, with 4:47 remaining. Austin Peay battled back to within eight points, 42-34, at halftime.

Both teams traded runs in the second half's opening minutes, Austin Peay closing to within seven points, 59-52, with 12:02 left. But the Lady Govs picked up their 10th foul soon after and Tennessee State began its parade to the free throw line that lasted the game's remainder.

"When you go on the road you have to be ready to play and put 40 minutes out there," said Daniels. "We got out to a good lead early but then we let them get back in it with some easy looks from the three-point line. Then they got on a hot streak and we didn't counter it and weren't able to get back into the game. "

Hanley finished the game with 22 points, scoring 16 in the first half, before fouling out. Rayner picked up the slack, scoring 15 second-half points en route to a 21-point, nine-rebound outing. Bussabarger added 13 points and Kristen Stainback chipped in 11 points, including three three-pointers.

Tayla Foster led Tennessee State with 22 points, including nine free throws. Jasmin Shuler added 21 points.

Tennessee State finished the game 35-of-48 at the free-throw line, easily outpacing Austin Peay's 15-of-20 effort at the charity stripe.

Austin Peay will have little time to reflect on Thursday's outcome, beginning its "Death Valley" road trip with a 1:45 p.m. (CT), Saturday contest at Morehead State.

-AP-