CLARKSVILLE – Austin Peay State University women's basketball team seeks a bounce-back performance when it hosts Christian Brothers, 2 p.m., Sunday, in the Dunn Center.

The Governors opened the regular season with a 73-58 loss to Miami, Friday, with the RedHawks outscoring APSU 38-25 in the second half following a 35-35 halftime score. Despite being double and triple-teamed in the low post, senior center Tearra Banks stood strong to record her eighth career double-double (10 points, 10 rebounds).

With the opposing defense shifting its attention to Banks, senior forward Beth Rates took advantage of some open looks, scoring 13 points – including attempting and knocking down her first three-pointer as a Gov. Redshirt sophomore Falon Baker was the third APSU player to finish in double-digits with 11 points.

Head coach David Midlick started the previously mentioned three players, along with junior Bri Williams and sophomore Keisha Gregory at the other two guard spots. Williams had a solid APSU debut with five points, three rebounds and two assists, while Gregory drained two threes to begin the Miami game.

The Opponent: Christian Brothers

Last season, the Buccaneers built a 11-16 record and 9-13 conference mark, but fell in the quarterfinals of the Gulf South Conference Tournament against Delta State. Former CBU standout player Sarah Condra begins her sixth season as head coach, with a 54-110 career record.

Christian Brothers opened its slate with an exhibition loss to OVC member UT Martin, 76-48, before falling to Arkansas-Monticello in the team's official regular season opener. Sunday's contest against APSU will also serve as an exhibition for CBU.

Samantha Reeves returns as the team's leading scorer at 14.4 points per game, but dealt with foul trouble in the team's opening contest to total just five points. Kenzie Jones recorded a team-high 11 points in the meeting, while Courtney Banks poured in eight after a 10.4 scoring average in 2015-16.

Last Time Against the Bucs

In the first meeting between the two programs, Austin Peay defeated Christian Brothers 74-55 in Clarksville. Courtney Banks led the Bucs in scoring with 19 points, but a trio of Govs totaled double figures. Tearra Banks scored 18 points (7-of-10), Tiasha Gray posted 17 and five assists, while J'Nayah Hall added 12 points.

APSU Storylines

• Searching for more. After falling to Eastern Kentucky in the opening round of the OVC Tournament, David Midlick returns for his second head coaching season in Clarksville, looking to build on an eight-win conference season.
• Defend the Dunn. In 2015-16, Austin Peay compiled a 9-3 record on its home court, with all but one win on the season occurring in the Dunn Center. Seven of those victories came in Ohio Valley Conference play, including three consecutive home wins to conclude the season. This year, the Govs have an increased home schedule with 15 games (four-straight to open).
• Banks. The senior center posted a .598 field goal percentage in 2015-16, the highest mark in the OVC and fifth nationally. Banks returns as APSU's leading scorer at 12 points per game, despite averaging just 15 minutes. She also grabbed 4.2 rebounds per contest a season ago.
• Baker for three. Falon Baker returned from injury last season and lit it up front deep, hitting 48 threes with a .375 percentage. She'll look to take another step forward to provide additional offense from the wing.
• Newbies. Midlick has brought in five newcomers to join the Governors – two junior college transfers (Ant'Treasia Patton and Bri Williams) and three freshmen (Nieja Crawford, Arielle Gonzalez-Varner and Shelbe Piggie). Williams and Piggie, along with Rivers, are expected to compete for the starting point guard spot.

Follow the Govs

Be sure to follow all the Austin Peay women's basketball action at LetsGoPeay.com and the official Facebook page of Austin Peay Athletics. In addition, live play-by-play coverage can be found on Twitter (@AustinPeayWBB) and live stats will be available at PeayStats.com. Sunday's game can also be streamed for free at OVCDigitalNetwork.com.