ORLANDO, Fla. – Austin Peay State University women's basketball spends its holiday weekend in Orlando, participating in the UCF Thanksgiving Classic, Saturday and Sunday, for games against St. Bonaventure and Central Florida.
The Governors (4-1) open the weekend against the Bonnies, 11 a.m., Saturday, before playing the host Knights, 1:30 p.m., Sunday. Both game times listed are central.
APSU has enjoyed its best start to a regular season since 2002, rattling off four-straight wins over the previous two weeks. Most recently, the Govs earned its first road win of 2016 – matching last season's away win total – with a 69-55 victory at Arkansas-Pine Bluff.
Senior center Tearra Banks scored a career-high 34 points in the contest on 15-of-18 shooting to go along with 11 rebounds. It was the first time a Gov has posted 30-plus points in a single game since Tiasha Gray dropped 30 against Murray State, Feb. 20. In addition, with her efficient performance, Banks now ranks 10th nationally with a 67.9 field goal percentage.
Other notable standouts against UAPB were senior forward Beth Rates (11 points, eight rebounds, three blocks) and junior guard Bri Williams (seven points, nine assists, two steals).
This weekend will be Austin Peay's first trip to Florida since 2008.
The Opponents
St. Bonaventure enters the classic at 1-3 in Jesse Fleming's first season as head coach. The Bonnies' one win this year came against Colgate, 70-57, on Nov. 13.
After earning an NCAA Tournament bid a season ago, where they knocked off Oklahoma State in the first round, the Bonnies return just one starter from 2016 – Mariah Ruff. Ruff leads this year's team at 12.8 points per game, including scoring 19 points in the win over Colgate.
Gabby Richmond currently sits at 11.8 points per outing, helped by a 20-point scoring game versus Canisius, while Matea Britvar commands the paint, averaging 9.5 points and 7.5 rebounds.
Saturday will be the first meeting between the Governors and Bonnies.
After a 7-23 record last season, the Knights have turned things around this year, already with four wins in five tries.
Most recently, on Nov. 22, UCF defeated Butler on the road, led by Aliyah Gregory's 18 points. The breakout game bumped her scoring average to nine points per game, while Zykira Lewis (15.4 ppg) and Fifi Ndour (12.0) are the go-to scoring options.
Austin Peay and Central Florida have met once before in 1999, with the Knights earning a 75-57 victory in Orlando.
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.
- Banks nearing 1,000. Behind her efficient field goal percentage, senior center Tearra Banks is nearing the 1,000 points mark for her career, currently needing 51Â points to reach the milestone.
- Rates climbing the charts. The senior forward continues to climb the career blocks rankings, entering Wednesday with 91 which is two away from tying Sonja Cox for fifth all-time. Rates has also played in 92 consecutive games.
- Baker for three. Falon Baker returned from injury last season and lit it up from 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. Last 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). This weekend's games can be streamed via a paid subscription to UCFKnights.tv.
