CLARKSVILLE, Tenn. – Austin Peay State University women's basketball team dropped a 66-56 decision to Stephen F. Austin, Thursday, in its final game of the Holiday Hoops Classic presented by Coke Zero Sugar on Gary Mathews court at F&M Bank Arena.

Anala Nelson's three-pointer 28 seconds into the game sparked the Governors 9-0 run to open the contest. A layup by Stephen F. Austin's Zoe Nelson nearly three minutes into the first quarter ended the Lady Jacks' scoring drought and cut their deficit to seven points. Austin Peay to Stephen F. Austin's first score with an 8-2 run, giving it it's largest lead of the game of 13 at 17-4, with five minutes remaining in the quarter.

A second chance layup by SFA's Trinity Moore cut the Lady Jacks deficit back to 11 points at 17-6, but a jumper from the paint by APSU's Nelson gave the Govs the lead by 13 again at 19-6 with 3:20 left on the clock. The Governors were scoreless the remainder of the quarter, as a jumper from SFA's Destini Lombard and a layup from the paint SFA's Nelson got the Lady Jacks back within nine at 19-10 with one minute remaining. SFA's Kurstyn Harden converted an old fashioned three-point play with five seconds remaining in the quarter to cut the Lady Jack's deficit to six at 19-13. 

Stephen F. Austin opened up the second quarter on a 12-3 run, giving them the lead for the first time in the game at 25-24 with 5:32 remaining in the half. A jumper from the paint by SFA's Nelson gave it the largest lead of the half at 27-24 with 4:31 left on the clock. The Governors held SFA scoreless for the remainder of the half, as they went on a 9-0 run to end the half with a 33-27 advantage.

Austin Peay continued to lead the Lady Jacks, jumping out to a 12-point lead in the penultimate quarter. SFA attempted to take back control of the game, with a three-pointer by Tyler McCliment-Call cutting its deficit to three at 33-30 with 8:05 remaining in the quarter.

Austin Peay went on a 10-4 run, giving them the lead by 12, forcing a SFA timeout at 46-34 with 4:48 remaining in the third. SFA cut its deficit to as few as seven with a made free throw by Harden, but two made free throws by Gabby Zapata Smalls extended the Govs lead to nine at 51-42 as the third quarter ended.

The fourth quarter began with a 10-4 run by SFA getting to bring the game back within a point, with five and a half minutes remaining. Following that run, the Lady Jacks held the Governors scoreless until the final 88 seconds of regulation when Cater made a free throw which proved to be the final point of the game for the Governors. SFA ended the game with two made free throws from Kyla Deck, giving them the victory, 66-56

Holiday Hoops Classic All-Tournament Team

• Makayia Hallmon, Troy
• Tai'Sheka Porchia, Troy
• Molly Kaiser, New Mexico State
• Destiny Lombard, Stephen F. Austin
• Abby Cater, Austin Peay

The Difference    

The fourth quarter. The Governors had a 20.0 field-goal percentage, making 2of-10 attempts, compared to Stephen F. Austin's 53.8 field-goal percentage, making 7-of-13 shots. 

Inside the Box Score    

• Abby Cater and Anala Nelson both scored a team-high 15 points.
• Nelson was the team's leading rebounder for the second time this season and the third time in her career after grabbing six boards.
• Sandra Lin, La'Nya Foster, and Cater each picked up two assists.
• The Govs made 12-of-16 free throw attempts, with Cater making four of her five attempts.
• The team also made six of ten attempts from the three point line, with Cur'Tiera Haywood making two of her two attempts. 

Up Next   

The Governors wrap up the nonconference schedule with a 2 p.m., Dec. 30, game against Miami (Ohio) at F&M Bank Arena. Atlantic Sun Conference play starts with a 6 p.m., Jan. 4, game against Bellarmine at F&M Bank Arena.