CLARKSVILLE - Austin Peay State University women's basketball team nearly squandered a 20-point second half lead but held on to record a 74-66 Ohio Valley Conference victory against Tennessee State, Saturday night at the Dunn Center.

Austin Peay (10-16, 9-5 OVC) built a 20-point lead, 58-38, just past the second half's midway point. The Lady Govs outscored the Lady Tigers 24-12 over the opening 10-plus minutes.

Tennessee State (7-18, 3-11) slashed that lead in half in less than two minutes, scoring the game's next 10 points and trailed by 10 points, 58-48, with 7:49 remaining.

Senior Dalila Thomas helped the Lady Govs stem the rush with three straight points, including APSU's first field goal in nearly five minutes at the 6:53 mark that pushed the lead back to 13 points, 61-48.

The Lady Tigers made their most serious run at the lead with an 11-1 run as Austin Peay again had trouble finding a field goal for nearly two minutes. A Meredith Stafford three-pointer with 1:19 left pushed Tennessee State to within two points, 67-65.

Freshman Nicole Olszewski's field goal on the Lady Govs ensuing possession moved the lead back to four points and proved enough to end the Lady Tigers threat. Austin Peay closed the game making five of its final six free throws to secure the victory.

The first half was a more tightly fought affair with the team's exchanging the lead six times. Tennessee State led 22-21 with 5:48 remaining in the opening frame but scored just four points the half's remainder.

Meanwhile, Austin Peay scored 13 points in the final 3:39, led by senior Brooke Faulkner's seven-point outburst. That half-ending run pushed APSU's lead to 10 points, 34-24, with 54 seconds left. TSU freshman Jasmine Shuler hit a jumper with 28 seconds left to set the halftime margin.

For the second consecutive game, five Austin Peay players scored 10 or more points. Senior Whitney Hanley led the Lady Govs with 17 points after being held scoreless in the opening period due to foul trouble. Faulkner finished with 14 points while Thomas chipped in 11 points off the bench. Olszewski and junior Jasmine Rayner each scored 10 points.

Freshman Tayla Foster led Tennessee State with 16 points. Senior Meredith Stafford and freshman Destiney Gaston each scored 12 points.

Austin Peay returns to action with a 7 p.m, Thursday contest at Jacksonville State.