NASHVILLE – Behind a career night from Arielle Gonzalez-Varner, Austin Peay State University women's basketball team downed Tennessee State 75-59, Thursday.
Austin Peay (11-7) came out strong, shooting 50.0 percent from the floor taking an early eight-point lead. The Governors dribble penetration created opportunities for shooters beyond the arc, as the Govs went 5-for-7 from three-point territory in the first quarter. Keisha Gregory led the way going 2-for-2 from deep, scoring nine points in the opening quarter.
Falon Baker dished out three assists and Gonzalez-Varner pulled down two offensive rebounds in the first half, but the Tigers closed the gap in the second period, tying the game at 28 with five and half minutes left in the second quarter. Both teams traded baskets in the second period and headed into the half knotted at 34 apiece.
The Governors defense held the Tigers to 1-of-10 to open the third quarter as the Govs went 6-for-6 from the stripe to cushion their lead. Gonzalez-Varner and Jemiah Harrison combined for nine points late in the third quarter as the Govs outscored the Tigers 21-14.
Brianne Alexander scored six points and pulled down three rebounds, while Brianah Ferby posted four points and four rebounds in the fourth quarter as the Govs sprinted out to a 20-point lead. The Tigers made a late 6-0 run, but Baker drained a deep three to secure the Governors first road win since Dec. 5.
Alexander lead the Govs with 16 points and seven rebounds, with Ferby adding 12 points and fiverebounds, and Gregory scoring 15 points and pulling down seven rebounds.
Gonzalez-Varner tied a career high scoring 6 points and pulled down a career best eight rebounds. Michaela Campbell and Harrison scored six and five points respectively, with each adding four rebounds.
Game Notes
- Austin Peay gets its first road win of the conference season and ends a two game losing streak.
- This is the Governors first road win since Dec. 6, and the largest margin of victory on the road this season.
- Arielle Gonzalez-Varner posts a career night scoring six points and pulling down eight rebounds.
- Three Governors scored in double digits: Alexander (16), Gregory (15) and Ferby (12).
- The Govs led by as many as 20 points in the fourth quarter.
- Austin Peay scored 17 points off of 12 offensive rebounds.
- Three Governors won the battle in the paint scoring 26 points.
- The Govs shot above 50.0 percent in the third quarter for the third-straight game.
- The Govs scored more than 20 points in three of the four quarters, Thursday, for the first time this season.
Catching up with coach Midlick
Building a Lead: "I thought we were aggressive offensively, we didn't settle for outside jump shots, we drove it into the paint. I thought Brianne Alexander came out aggressive under the basket and I felt that Bri Williams did a good job pushing the ball down the floor.
Overcoming Foul Trouble: "We were mixing and matching, I thought Ari and Jemiah did a good job for us coming in, getting some points and rebounds for us and battling underneath with their three leading scorers."
Pulling away: "I thought we had a good push the first two minutes of the fourth period. Keisha and Bri Alexander had rested and were able to come in and get some easy baskets."
Up Next
The Governors return to Nashville 3 p.m., Saturday to face Belmont.
Video Highlights
