CLARKSVILLE - A first-half ending dry spell proved too tough to overcome as Austin Peay State University women's basketball team dropped an 82-77 Ohio Valley Conference contest to Tennessee State, Saturday night at the Dunn Center.

Austin Peay (8-17, 2-8 OVC) trailed by as many as eight points in the first half. However, the Lady Govs used a 9-0 run to build its largest lead - 27-22 with 6:20 remaining in the first half. The Lady Govs made their charge as Kaitlyn Hill converted a conventional three-point play which Kristen Stainback and Shelby Olszewski followed with three-pointers.

However, as was the case one week ago at Eastern Illinois, the Lady Govs were unable to finish the half strongly. Tennessee State (8-13, 4-5 OVC) closed the period with a 14-3 run, including five points by Kesi Hess, and led 36-30 at the break. Austin Peay had 14 possessions in the final 6:20 and was 1-of-9 from the floor, 1-of-2 at the free-throw line and committed four turnovers.

Tennessee State quickly built a double-digit lead in the second half. Austin Peay would close within one point, 58-57, with 9:20 remaining courtesy an 11-4 run that lasted 3:14 and was sparked by a Leslie Martinez three pointer and six points from Jasmine Rayner.

But the Tigers responded with the game's next five points and forced a Lady Govs timeout while leading 63-57 with 7:47 left. Austin Peay would close within a single possession twice more in the next two minutes, but Tennessee State had an answer each time. Jasmin Shuler's three-pointer with 4:09 left pushed the lead back to two possessions with 4:09 left and Austin Peay would not get closer the game's remainder.

Hanley led the Lady Govs with 30 points - her second career 30-point effort - and scored APSU's final 10 points. She was 12-of-22 from the floor, including a 3-of-9 effort from three-point range. Hanley also finished with seven rebounds, four assists and two steals.

Hill recorded her second consecutive double-double with a 10-point, 10-rebound effort that included two blocks and two steals. Rayner added 13 points while Shelby Olszewski added 10 points.

Kesi Hess led Tennessee State with 17 points and was one of five players to finish in double digits for the Tigers. Tennessee State won the rebounding battle by a 44-40 margin despite trailing by nine rebounds (23-14) at halftime.

Austin Peay, which lost its fifth straight game, returns to action with a 7 p.m., Monday contest at Southeast Missouri.

-AP-