THE LEAD
CLARKSVILLE – Despite a significant size disadvantage, Austin Peay State University women's basketball team pushed Pac-12 foe California to the final horn in a 67-58 season-opening loss, Friday night at the Dunn Center.

WHO GOVERNED
One of the smallest players on the court, senior guard Tiasha Gray finished with her 25th career 20-point outing – a 28-point effort that included five rebounds, five assists and two steals. She was 5-of-10 from three-point range and 5-of-6 from the free-throw line.

HOW IT HAPPENED
California scored the game's first five points and led by 11 points, 19-8, with 2:08 left in the first quarter, but Austin Peay cut the deficit to one point, 32-31, seconds before halftime before taking a two-point deficit into halftime.

The Bears used a 14-0 run in the third quarter and nearly broke the game open, leading by 15 points with a little more than minute remaining in the period. But Austin Peay charged back and trailed by just five points, 63-58, after a Tiasha Gray three-pointer with 1:37 left in the game. Austin Peay could not get a field goal down the stretch as Cal scored the game's final four points.

INSIDE THE BOX SCORE
In the last three season-openers, Tiasha Gray has scored 22 or more points in each contest. After a 22-point outing at Western Kentucky in 2013, the guard has followed up with 37 and 28 points in the previous two contests to begin a season.

Fifth-year senior Shelby Olszewski returned to the basketball court, Friday, after suiting up for women's soccer for the previous three years. It was the first appearance by Olszewski on the hardwood in 989 days. She finished wit hthree points and four rebounds in 20 minutes.

After missing the team's exhibition contest, Nov. 5, Tearra Banks returned to action for the first time since Feb. 7 against Murray State (missed final six games of 2014-15 season). Banks's 10 points off the bench were second most on the team.

THE FULL RECAP
Austin Peay (0-1) entered the game facing a noticeable size concern as California listed seven players taller than APSU's tallest player. However, the Bears size only manifested itself in the turnover battle – Austin Peay was charged with 17 giveaways in the contest and California feasted on the miscues to the tune of 24 points.

California (1-0) held double digit leads in both the first and third quarters, nearly breaking the game opening in the third frame. The Bears scored 14 straight points over a six-minute span to build a 55-40 lead with 1:09 left in the third. Austin Peay committed six turnovers during the span, resulting in 11 California points.

Yet Austin Peay battled back for the second time in the contest, as four players combined to spark a 13-3 run that slashed the deficit to five points, 58-53, with 5:24 left. The Lady Govs would not get any closer the game's remainder, but did not allow the lead to reach double digits again.

Speaking of battling back, the Lady Govs battled back from an 11-point first quarter deficit. The Bears held that 11-point advantage with 2:08 remaining in the first quarter. But Austin Peay cut it to six points, 19-13, at the first break thanks to four points from junior center Tearra Banks.

Austin Peay kept up the charge throughout the second quarter, ultimately getting to within a point, 32-31, on a pair of Gray free throws with 19 seconds left. The Lady Govs trailed by two points at halftime, but weren't done with their charge.

Senior guard Tiasha Gray and junior forward Beth Rates hit back-to-back jumpers to give APSU its first lead, 35-33, 54 seconds into the second half. A Madison Rich three-pointer at 7:46 gave Austin Peay its final lead, 40-38, before the Bears third quarter run changed the game's momentum.

Gray led Austin Peay with a 28-point performance – her 25th career 20-point outing – thanks to a 5-of-10 effort from three-point range. Junior center Tearra Banks added 10 points in her return to the court, converting 4-of-5 from the floor.

Junior forward Courtney Range led California with 23 points on 10-of-17 shooting. Freshman forward Kristen Anigwe added 11 points and eight rebounds.

Austin Peay has less than 24 hours until its next outing – Christian Brothers visiting for a 7 p.m., Saturday contest at the Dunn Center.