CLARKSVILLE, Tenn. – Austin Peay State University women's basketball team continues its first Atlantic Sun Conference road trip of the season with a 1 p.m., Saturday game against Central Arkansas at the Farris Center in Conway, Arkansas.
After going 2-0 to open the conference season, Austin Peay dropped a 79-75 decision to North Alabama, Thursday. Five Governors scored double-digits in the loss, with Anala Nelson leading with 16 points. Shamarre Hale had 10 points and 12 rebounds, leading to her third consecutive double-double.
Hale leads the Govs with 11.9 points per game while Abby Cater leads with 194 points on the season. Hale also leads with 118 rebounds and an average of 7.4 per game.
Central Arkansas enters the contest after defeating Lipscomb, 66-61, in overtime in Conway. Randrea Wright led the way for the Sugar Bears with 17 points as Bree Stephens grabbed 11 rebounds.
Saturday's contest is the sixth meeting between the Governors and the Sugar Bears, with Austin Peay leading the all-time series, 3-2. The Govs lead 2-0 in games played in Clarksville and the series is tied 1-1 in Conway.
Broadcast Information
Radio: WAPX 91.9 FM (Carter Mansfield)
All Austin Peay women's basketball games are aired on WAPX 91.9 FM. Pregame begins 15 minutes before tip and can be heard online at LetsGoPeay.com
TV: ESPN+ (TBD)
From The Jump
- Head Coach Brittany Young has won 46 games during her career as the Governors head coach and needs just one more victory for the most wins by an APSU head coach over their first three seasons.
- The Govs are first in the ASUN with their 45.9 field-goal percentage. Their 23.6 bench points and 3.6 blocks per game rank second in the conference.
- Graduate Shamarre Hale was named the first player in Austin Peay State University's women's basketball program history to be named the Atlantic Sun Conference Player of the Week, the league announced Monday.
- Shamarre Hale is ranked first in the conference with her 118 rebounds. Hale is third in the league with 67 free throw attempts, 50 free throws, and 7.4 rebounds per game. Her 0.94 blocks per game and 74.6 field goal percentage leave her in fourth and fifth place, respectively.
- Also returning is Anala Nelson, who was an ASUN All-Freshman honoree, in addition to Tiya Douglas, Briah Hampton, and Gabby Zapata Smalls.
- Nelson has started in 44 consecutive games and started every game she has played in college. She also was the first player in program history to receive ASUN All-Freshman Team honors and the first to be named to a conference all-freshman team since 2003 when the Govs were a member of the Ohio Valley Conference.
- Nelson is third in the ASUN with 64 assists and fifth with 3.8 assists per game.
- The 2023-24 roster included seven newcomers in Sandra Lin, Alyssa Hargrove, JaNiah Newell, Cur'Tiera Haywood, and Jeanine Brandsma. La'Nya Foster from Riverdale, Georgia, is the only freshman.
- Sandra Lin is ranked third with a 1.33 assist/turnover ratio, 4.4 assists per game, and 1.79 steals per game.
- Under the leadership of Young, the Govs are 26-3 when scoring at least 70 points and are 28-6 when allowing 60-or-fewer points. The Govs are 3-3 when scoring over 70 points this season and 5-2 when holding opponents to under 60 points.
- The Governors' 39.0 field-goal percentage defense is fourth all-time in program history. Young and the Governors set the program record for field-goal percentage defense with a 38.1 percent mark last season.
The Central Arkansas Scouting Report
Their Head Coach: Tony Kemper enters his first season leading the Sugar Bears after six seasons at the helm of Marshall women's basketball. He is 10-5 during his first year in Conway and is 89-95 over the course of his seven year career.
2023-24 Record: 10-5, 2-0 ASUN
2022-23 Record: 8-18, 3-12 ASUN
Last Season Result: Lost to North Alabama, 75-42, in their last game of the season and did not make the ASUN Championship Tournament.
Notable Returner: Kinley Fisher returns for her junior season with the Sugar Bears. Fisher averaged 7.8 points and 1.7 rebounds last season. In her junior campaign, she averages 12.9 points and 1.8 rebounds. Her career high of 24 came on Jan. 6 against North Alabama.
Notable Newcomer: Cheyenne Banks comes to Conway after spending two seasons at Coffeyville Community College. In her junior season with Central Arkansas, Banks averages 5.1 points and 5.8 rebounds per game. Her season high of 14 points came on Nov. 23 at Lindenwood and her season high 14 rebounds came on Nov. 14 against UT Martin.
Follow The Govs On Social
For news and updates throughout the Governors' season, follow the women's basketball team on X and Instagram (@GovsWBB) or check back at LetsGoPeay.com.
