THE LEAD
CHARLESTON, Ill. – Austin Peay State University women's basketball team endured rocky third quarter at both ends of the court and suffered its fifth-straight Ohio Valley Conference loss, 64-56, to Eastern Illinois, Wednesday night at Lantz Arena.

HOW IT HAPPENED
Each team took its best shot in the third quarter. Austin Peay scored seven consecutive points, including four by junior forward Beth Rates, to build its largest lead of the contest, 35-30, just three minutes into the third frame.

Eastern Illinois seized control with a 9-1 run in response as Alece Shumpert hit a pair of threes and Halle Stull gave the Panthers the lead for good with her triple.

Austin Peay had one last gasp, cutting the deficit to three points, 54-51, with a 10-1 run in the fourth quarter. But senior guard Tiasha Gray fouled out after they closed to within three points and EIU closed the game with an 11-5 run.  

INSIDE THE BOX SCORE
Gray was credited with four steals and moved into fourth on the OVC's career steals list (304). She moved past Tennessee State alumnus Connie Swift (302 steals, 1992-97). Gray now will set her sights on third place, needing 21 steals to move past Tennessee Tech alumnus Pam Chambers, with four regular-season games remaining.

Austin Peay was held to 32 percent (16-of-50) shooting for the game – 25 percent (8-of-32) in the second half – its worst shooting performance since its Ohio Swing in November.

The Governors nearly saw their 288-game streak making a three-pointer ended, making just 1-of-10 at Eastern Illinois. Freshman guard Falon Baker's trey at the 2:24 mark of the third quarter extended the streak to 289 games.

Despite the loss, Austin Peay remained in a four-way tie for sixth place in the OVC standings. The Govs remained tied with Tennessee State and Jacksonville State while Murray State joined the fray with a 79-76 upset win at SIUE, Wednesday.

THE FULL RECAP
The game's pivotal moments arrived in the third quarter. Austin Peay (7-18, 5-7 OVC) pieced together a 7-0 run, including four points by junior forward Beth Rates, to build its largest lead, 35-30, just three minutes into the quarter.

But Eastern Illinois (3-21, 2-10 OVC) did not cave and instead responded with three consecutive three-pointers. Alece Shumpert hit the first two, each time evading the APSU defense, to give the Panthers a one-point advantage. After the Govs converted on one of two at the free throw line, Halle Stull hit the third in the string to give Eastern Illinois a 39-36 lead with 4:07 left.

The Panthers lead would reach 12 points, 53-41, thanks to a 6-0 run to start the fourth quarter. Austin Peay would close back to within three points, 54-51, thanks to senior Tiasha Gray's layup at the 4:02 mark. However, she would pick up her fifth foul on the ensuing Eastern Illinois possession. EIU capitalized with an 11-5 run the game's remainder, sealing the decision.

Austin Peay overcame a turnover-filled first quarter and a poor shooting performance in the second quarter to tie the game, 28-28, at halftime. The Govs committed eight of their 15 turnovers in the first quarter, Eastern Illinois converting on the miscues for 10 points and a 16-13 lead. In the second, Austin Peay went nearly eight minutes without a field goal but went 7-of-8 at the free-throw line to help it force the halftime tie.

The third quarter saw the Governors struggle with their shooting touch, making just 4-of-14 (28.6 percent) from the floor. Meanwhile, Austin Peay could not keep Eastern Illinois in check defensively, allowing the Panthers to make 8-of-14 (57.1 percent), including 3-of-4 from three-point range.

Rates led Austin Peay with 16 points, making 8-of-13 at the free-throw line. Gray finished with 13 points and four steals – moving into fourth on the OVC's career steals list (304) – despite a chopped up 24 minutes of action. Sophomore forward Sydney Gooch added an 11-point, 11-rebound double-double performance.

Shatika Cox led Eastern Illinois with 16 points, making 5-of-8 from the floor. Phylicia Johnson chipped in 15 points.

Austin Peay returns home for a 5:15 p.m., Saturday contest against league-leading UT Martin. The day will begin with the Governors annual Hall of Fame breakfast at 9 a.m.

For more information about Saturday's Hall of Fame breakfast in the Dunn Center front lobby, telephone Tara Pfeifler, 931-221-6119.