MURFREESBORO - Austin Peay State University women's basketball team could not recover from a poor first-half effort in a 69-63 non-conference loss to Middle Tennessee, Tuesday night, at the Murphy Center.

Austin Peay (2-6) did not make a field goal until senior Whitney Hanley's jumper at the 13:33 mark but trailed just 6-2 as Middle Tennessee struggled from the opening tip. Hanley and senior Jasmine Rayner made the Lady Govs next two shots to tie the game, 6-6, with 11:21 left.

But as has been the case during its now six-game losing streak, Austin Peay struggled at both ends of the court over the next 4:29, surrendering a 16-2 run to Middle Tennessee. The Lady Govs were 1-of-6 shooting and committed four turnovers during that stretch. The Blue Raiders made seven consecutive shots during the run, including three by Ebony Rowe, as they built a 22-8 lead with 7:02 left.

Middle Tennessee (5-4) pushed its lead to 21 points on a Rowe layup with 3:29 remaining. Austin Peay closed the half with a 9-2 run - jump started by six consecutive points by Rayner - to slash the deficit to 14 points, 33-19, at the half.

The Lady Govs opened the second half with a completely different effort on the offensive end - using a 15-3 run over the opening seven minutes to cut the lead to two points, 36-34. Austin Peay made 5-of-9 from the field and 4-of-8 at the free throw line during the burst. Hanley led the effort with seven points and Nicole Olszewski added five points.

The Blue Raiders ended the charge with back-to-back three-pointers from Kortni Jones and Ebony Rowe added a basket to push the lead back to nine points, 44-35, with 11:58 left. Middle Tennessee pushed the lead back to 15 points with 2:59 remaining before Austin Peay closed the game with a 13-4 run to set the final margin.

Hanley led all scorers with 23 points, making eight of her 12 shots and all six free-throw attempts. Rayner added 15 points and four steals while Nicole Olszewski chipped in 12 points.

Rowe led Middle Tennessee with 22 points and 10 rebounds, but scored only three points in the second half. Jones added 17 points with four three-pointers.

Austin Peay continues its four-game road trip with a 6 p.m. (CT), Friday contest at Bowling Green.