KANSAS CITY, Mo. - Austin Peay State University women's basketball team led by just one point in the fourth quarter, but took the 20-point victory with a 66-46 decision over Kansas City, Saturday, at the Swinney Center.
Double-doubles from Veronaye Charlton and Anovia Sheals highlighted the Governors' win.
Austin Peay (4-1) took a 4-0 lead to begin the first quarter with baskets by Veronaye Charlton and Anovia Sheals. A free throw by Jim'Miyah Branton, followed by a layup by Kyra Perkins, gave the Govs a 12-6 lead over Kansas City with just two and a half minutes remaining in the first frame. The Roos got as close as four at 12-8 with a layup by Elauni Bennett, but free throws by Charlton and JaNiah Newell ended the quarter, giving the Govs an 18-10 lead.
A layup by Jade Rucker opened the second frame, giving the Govs a 10-shot lead at 20-10. Despite the Govs striking first, the Roos held the Govs scoreless from 8:40-7:24, allowing them to get within seven at 20-13. A jumper from Sheals ended the Govs' scoring drought, making it a 22-13 ballgame with seven and a half minutes remaining in the first half. The two teams traded shots, but a jumper from Branton and a three-pointer by Rucker gave the Govs their largest lead of the afternoon at 30-18. Back-to-back baskets from Emani Bennett shortened the Roos' deficit to eight at 30-22, but a jump shot by Sheals ended the first half with the Govs leading 32-22.
The Roos opened the third quarter by getting within six at 34-28 with back-to-back baskets by Bennett. The two teams exchanged baskets, but the Govs built their lead back to 10 at 40-30 with three and a half minutes remaining. The Roos held the Govs scoreless for the remainder of the third quarter, as they managed to cut their deficit to four at 40-36 headed into the final frame.
The Roos began the final frame with a 5-2 run to get within one at 42-41. The Govs held the Roos scoreless from 8:29 to 2:42, allowing them to build their lead to 12 at 53-41. A three-pointer by Bennett cut the Roos ' deficit to nine at 53-44, but that would be the Roos' final field-goal of the game, as a three-pointer by Rucker ended the game, giving the Govs the 66-46 win.
THE DIFFERENCE
Fourth quarter efficiency. The Roos got within one of the Governors at 42-41with eight and a half minutes remaining, but the Govs shot 66.7 percent from the field and 100 percent from the charity stripe to outscore the Roos 26-10 in the fourth frame.
INSIDE THE BOX SCORE
- Veronaye Charlton (19pts, 10 rebs) and Anovia Sheals (10pts, 13 rebs) both had a double-double.
- This was Charlton and Sheals' first double-double of the season.
- Charlton also led with five assists, and Sheals led with two blocks.
- Jade Rucker and Jim'Miyah Branton had 10 points each.
- The Govs' 39 rebounds were their most since the team's 59 against Sewanee, Nov. 4.
- The Govs shot a season high 83.3 percent from the charity stripe, making 10-of-12 shots.
- The Govs held the Roos to a 29.6 field-goal percentage, which was the lowest allowed by the team since they held Sewanee to 22.0, Nov. 4.
- The Governors outscored the Roos 21-8 from turnovers, 34-24 from the paint, 13-2 off fast breaks, and 27-8 from the bench.
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