CLARKSVILLE - Senior Whitney Hanley recorded her season's first double-double and junior Nicole Olszewski poured in a career-high 21 points but it was enough as Austin Peay State University women's basketball team dropped an 88-83 decision to UT Martin in Ohio Valley Conference action, Wednesday at the Dunn Center.

UT Martin (14-8, 8-1 OVC), the OVC's top offense entering the night, threatened to run away and hide early in the second half. The Skyhawks scored five consecutive points to build the game's first double-digit lead, 59-49, with 15:39 remaining. UTM pushed the lead to 11 points four minutes later on Taylor Hall's three-pointer.

Austin Peay (5-19, 2-9 OVC) made its charge moments later, piecing together a 20-11 run to cut the lead to two points, 77-75, with 7:03 remaining. Nicole Olszewski led the effort with eight points during the burst while freshmen Shelby Olszewski and Kristen Stainback chipped in five and four points, respectively.

However, UTM's Jasmine Newsome scored the game's next four points and a Patricia Glenn added a layup to cap a six-point burst and push the lead to eight points, 83-75, with 3:02 left.

Austin Peay would close within three points after a pair of Stainback free throws with 1:26 left but could not get any closer. The Lady Govs missed their final three shots while UTM converted two free throws in the final minute to seal the win.

Austin Peay jumped out of the gates, scoring the game's first eight points. The Lady Govs held on to their lead until the 10:42 mark. UT Martin used an 11-0 run over 2:11 to gain the lead, 25-22, with 10:14 left. The two teams would trade the lead twice more the half's remainder. The Skyhawks ultimately closed the period with a 15-8 run and led 55-40 at the break.

Hanley finished with 23 points and 12 rebounds for her season's first double-double. Nicole Olszewski posted her career high as she broke out of her recent shooting slump with an 8-of-14 shooting effort.

Junior Kaitlyn Hill recorded her fourth consecutive double-digit scoring effort with 11 points and also grabbed eight rebounds. Stainback finished with 14 points, one shy of her career high.

Newsome led UT Martin with 27 points and handed out a game-best eight assists. Heather Butler, the OVC's leading scorer entering the night, was held to 17 points. The Skyhawks finished the night with five players reaching double-digit scoring territory.

Austin Peay, which lost its seventh straight game, will get a much needed five-day break before returning to action with a 7 p.m., Monday contest against in-state rival Tennessee Tech.

-AP-