CLARKSVILLE – Austin Peay State University women's basketball team packs its bags for the first road trip of 2016, traveling to Arkansas-Pine Bluff, 7:30 p.m., Monday, in the H.O. Clemmons Arena.
The Governors have opened the regular season 3-1, its best start to a campaign since 2002. In that span, APSU has held opponents to 59 points per game and 35.8 percent from the field. Offensively, the Govs are averaging 66.3 points per contest, led by senior center Tearra Banks.
Banks enters Monday with a 13.3 scoring average and 7.3 rebounds per game. In addition, the Louisville native ranks first in the Ohio Valley Conference in field goal percentage at 60 percent.
Most recently, the Govs knocked off Trevecca 69-51, with Banks scoring a season-high 18 points. An additional 10 APSU players scored in the contest, including junior guard Bri Williams and senior guard April Rivers adding nine points apiece.
The Opponent: Arkansas-Pine Bluff
The Golden Lions carry a 0-2 record into their home game of the season following back-to-back losses against Ball State and Illinois. Arkansas-Pine Bluff has allowed opponents to score 79 points per game in 2016, while averaging just 28.6 percent from the field.
Niya Head and Malaik Muhammad have been the team's one-two scoring options, averaging 14.5 and 13.0 points, respectively.
Monday will be the first meeting between the two programs.
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.
- Rates climbing the charts. The senior forward continues to climb the career blocks rankings, entering Wednesday with 88 which is five away from tying Sonja Cox for fifth all-time.
- Baker for three. Falon Baker returned from injury last season and lit it up front deep, hitting 48 threes with a .375 percentage. In 2016, she continues to be a weapon from behind the arch, with four threes thus far.
- Fifty-straight for Gooch. Saturday's game was the 50th consecutive game played by junior center Sydney Gooch,
- 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 audio on the Governors Sports Network (104.1 FM).
