THE LEAD
JONESBORO, Ark. – A turnover-filled third quarter proved enough to undo Austin Peay State University women's basketball team in a 66-55 loss to Arkansas State, Wednesday afternoon, at the Convocation Center.

WHO GOVERNED
Sophomore guard Madison Rich made the most of her time on the court, scoring 12 points and nabbing a team-best three steals in 13 minutes of action. The only Governors player to reach the free-throw line, she was 6-of-6 at the line.

HOW IT HAPPENED
Austin Peay worked around a 10-turnover first half, leading for nearly 10 minutes, before settling on a three-point halftime deficit.

The Govs were unable to survive an eight-turnover third quarter. Arkansas State scored 13 points on those eight turnovers, including seven points off consecutive turnovers that were part of a 11-0 run that broke the game open.

INSIDE THE BOX SCORE
Junior center Tearra Banks, who entered the game ranked 10th nationally in field-goal percentage, improved her average with a 6-for-8 shooting effort. Her efficiency also improved with a 12-point, five-rebound effort in just 14 minutes.

Austin Peay won the rebounding battle for just the second time this season. Sophomore center Sydney Gooch led the way with 10 rebounds while redshirt freshman Falon Baker grabbed a career-high eight rebounds.

The Govs were charged with a season high 23 turnovers, including eight in the fateful third quarter. Arkansas State was credited with 12 steals – its eighth consecutive double-digit steal effort.

THE FULL RECAP
Austin Peay (2-10) trailed by just three points, 32-29, at halftime but again could not overcome third-quarter troubles. The Govs committed eight turnovers in the period and Arkansas State made them pay dearly for the miscues. The Red Wolves converted those giveaways into 13 points in a 21-point quarter.

The quarter's critical juncture came at the midway point as Arkansas State (6-2) used an 11-0 run to break the game open, building a 12-point lead. The Red Wolves scored on five consecutive possessions, including back-to-back three pointers by Brown-Haywood and Gamble. Meanwhile, Austin Peay did not score on four consecutive possessions, committing three turnovers in the same span.

The third quarter negated a good start by Austin Peay. The Govs closed the first quarter with a 5-1 run on a basket by senior guard Tiasha Gray and a three-pointer by redshirt freshman Falon Baker to hold a 16-12 lead. Austin Peay pushed the lead to five points thanks to freshman Keisha Gregory's three-pointer at the 6:15 mark of the second quarter.

Arkansas State would score the game's next nine points to take the lead, 27-23, for what proved to be for good. Junior center Tearra Banks broke the Austin Peay scoring drought and scored the team's final six points, helping to trim the halftime deficit slightly.

Gray finished with a team-best 14 points, scoring seven in each half. Banks and sophomore Madison Rich each added 12 points. Sophomore forward Sydney Gooch grabbed a game-high 10 rebounds to help Austin Peay win the rebounding battle by a 36-33 margin.

Aundrea Gamble led Arkansas State with a game-best 28-point effort, going 11-of-18 from the floor. Brown-Haywood added 19 points. The Red Wolves were credited with 12 steals on 23 Austin Peay turnovers, their eighth consecutive game with double-digit steals.

Austin Peay closes out the 2015 portion of its schedule when it travels to East Tennessee for a 6 p.m. (CT), Monday contest.