CLARKSVILLE –Austin Peay State University women's basketball team used a balanced scoring effort – six players scored 10 or more points – to post a convincing 86-71 Ohio Valley Conference victory against Murray State, Thursday night.

Austin Peay (8-14, 5-4 OVC) made the game's first basket courtesy freshman Beth Rates' layup but went their next five possessions without a score. Murray State hit back-to-back shots, including Janssen Starks three-pointer, to build a three-point lead with 18:18 left.

The Lady Govs tied the game two minutes later and took the lead for good on another Rates layup at the 15:36 mark. Austin Peay's frontcourt dominated the early action, scoring 12 of APSU's first 13 points. Not until sophomore Tiasha Gray made a layup with 12:01 left did an Austin Peay guard make a shot from the floor.

Gray would give Austin Peay its first double-digit lead, 23-13, with a jumper at the 7:47 mark. Her three-pointer on the Lady Govs next possession doubled up Murray State, 26-13, with 7:17 left in the first half.

Murray State (8-13, 1-8 OVC) would not get closer than 11 points the rest of the half. The Racers offense was hampered by a disastrous 18.8 percent (6-of-32) shooting effort in the first half. Despite the offensive trouble, Murray State trailed by just 14 points, 38-24, at halftime.

After making 44.4 percent (16-of-36) of its shots in the first half, Austin Peay got even more efficient in the second half, converting on 61.5 percent (16-of-26) of its attempts. The Lady Govs closed the game making 11 of their 14 shots over the final 13:30 to secure the win.

Murray State would get within 10 points midway through the half but would get no closer. Austin Peay used a 7-0 run in a two-minute span to push the lead back to 17 points and was not threatened the game's remainder.

For the first time in known history, six Austin Peay players scored 10 or more points in the same contest. Senior Nicole Olszewski led the effort with 20 points and a career-high eight assists. Sophomore Jennifer Nwokocha recorded her second consecutive double-double with a 12-point, 11-rebound outing. They were joined in double-digit scoring territory by freshman Tearra Banks (13 points), Gray (13), Rates (10) and junior Kristen Stainback (10).

Starks led Murray State and all scorers with 21 points, converting all 10 of her free throw attempts. Jessica Winfrey added a 13-point, 14-rebound double-double outing.

Austin Peay, which has won five of its last six, begins a three-game road trip when it meets Southeast Missouri in an 11 a.m., Monday contest at the Show Me Center.