CLARKSVILLE – Austin Peay State University women's basketball team was unable to follow up its winning performance four days ago, dropping a 69-43 decision to Middle Tennessee, Wednesday morning at the Dunn Center.

Four days previous, Austin Peay (3-4) had its best shooting performance in nearly 10 seasons to down Central Arkansas, but it could not repeat that performance in the loss to Middle Tennessee. The Lady Govs were held to a season-low 30.5 percent (18-of-59) shooting, including a 28 percent (7-of-25) shooting performance in the second half.

Despite the shooting woes, Austin Peay trailed by just 11 points, 50-39, with 10 minutes remaining in the half. Middle Tennessee (5-3) was battling its own shooting demons and made just 31.1 percent (19-of-61) of their shots in the opening 30 minutes.

The Blue Raiders started to widen the gap with senior Ebony Rowe's layup with 9:34 remaining in the game, touching off an 11-0 MTSU run that pushed the lead to 24 points, 63-39, with 4:05 remaining. Middle Tennessee shot 50 percent (7-of-14) from the floor in the final 10 minutes, including a game-clinching 77.8 percent (7-of-9) in the final 5:43.

Meanwhile, Austin Peay went through one of its longest cold stretches of the season in the closing 10 minutes. After sophomore Tiasha Gray's layup cut the MTSU deficit to 12 points with 10:44 left – sophomore Alexis Hardaway hit a free throw at the 10:10 mark to narrow the deficit to 11 – the Lady Govs went over seven minutes without a field goal. During the drought, APSU was 0-of-10 from the floor and committed five turnovers.

Sophomore Jennifer Nwokocha led the Lady Govs with eight points, making 4-of-7 shots. Gray, who was held scoreless in the first half, finished with six points, six rebounds and four steals. Nicole Olszewski finished with five points – all coming in the first half's final 40 seconds as she single-handedly slashed the MTSU lead to four points, 32-38, at halftime.

MTSU's Rowe finished with a 29-point, 20-rebound performance, converting 13-of-25 shots. Junior Shanice Cason chipped in a 20-point outing.

Wednesday's contest concluded a five-game homestand for Austin Peay, which returns to the road for a 6 p.m., Saturday contest at Xavier.