CLARKSVILLE - Freshman Tiasha Gray scored a career-high 22 points and senior Meghan Bussabarger added 20 points but it wasn't enough as Austin Peay State University women's basketball team dropped a 71-58 Ohio Valley Conference overtime decision to Belmont, Wednesday night at the Dunn Center.

Austin Peay (7-20, 2-13 OVC) closed regulation with an 11-7 run over the final 6:50. However, neither team could find an offensive rhythm in that stretch. Belmont did not make a field goal - converting 7-of-10 from the free-throw line - but held on to force overtime. The Lady Govs suffered their own offensive woes down the stretch, suffering a four-minute scoring drought. Gray ended the drought with 38 seconds remaining, her layup tying the game, 54-54, and forcing overtime.  

Belmont (16-12, 10-5 OVC) dominated the overtime, outscoring Austin Peay 17-4. The Bruins converted 12-of-13 at the free-throw line in the extra period. The Lady Govs were just 1-of-9 from the field. The one field goal proved personally important for Bussabarger, who reached the 1,000-point plateau with the score.

The game began with all the momentum in Austin Peay's favor. The Lady Govs built a 12-point, 22-10, advantage in the opening 11:24 thanks to a defensive effort that forced 10 Belmont turnovers in that span.

Belmont's offense woke up over the final 6:53 of the first half, thanks largely to Molly Ernst who scored eight of her 11 points in the final stanza. She helped spark a Bruins charge that ended the half on a 20-7 run to take a 30-29 lead into halftime.

Gray and Bussabarger were two of only six Lady Govs who scored in the contest. Austin Peay was 22-of-72 (30.6 percent) from the floor, Gray and Bussabarger combining for a 16-of-40 effort (40.0 percent).

Belmont's Ernst led all scorers with 25 points, including 21 points from three-point range where she made 7-of-15. The Bruins used eight players in the contest and each scored at least five points. Belmont was only 20-of-60 (33.3 percent) from the floor but used a dominating 21-11 edge in free throws to secure to the win.

Austin Peay closes its 2012-13 campaign when it hosts UT Martin in a 5:15 p.m., Saturday contest at the Dunn Center.