JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – For the first time in program history, the Austin Peay State University women's basketball team is headed for the Atlantic Sun Conference Tournament Championship after their 68-52 semifinal win over Stetson, Saturday, at Vystar Veterans Memorial Arena. 

Austin Peay (19-12) quickly controlled the first quarter, as a three-pointer and jump shot by Ines Gnahore gave it a 7-2 lead four minutes into the game. A jumper and layup by Promise Keshi allowed Stetson (20-11) to tie the game at nine, and a layup by Cameron Thomas gave the Hatters an 11-9 lead. The two teams went back and forth until free throws by Jade Rucker ended the first quarter with the Govs leading 18-17.

The Govs opened the second quarter on a 10-3 run to give them a 28-20 advantage. A three-pointer by Kyra Perkins with 4:38 remaining in the half allowed the Govs a 10-point lead with four and a half minutes before the break, but the Hatters went on a 10-3 run to tie the game at 35. A three-pointer by Jade Rucker with under a minute remaining gave the Govs a 38-35 lead into the break. 

SU's Aleah Sorrentino connected on a layup two and a half minutes into the third quarter, cutting the Hatter's deficit back to one point at 40-39. The two teams entered a scoring drought that was ended at 3:54 by Gnahore's layup, getting the Govs back up by five at 44-39. The Hatters got as close as 44-42 with Thomas' three-pointer, but a jumper by JaNiah Newell sent the Govs into the fourth quarter with a 46-42 lead. 

The fourth quarter began with an 18-1 run by the Governors, including four-straight three-pointers by Mya Williams, to give them a 21-point lead with five minutes remaining. The Hatters got as close as 16 with a free throw by Sierra Driessen, but the 68-52 semifinal win would go to the Governors. 

THE DIFFERENCE

Mya Williams, who in her first of four straight three-pointers gave the Govs a 49-42 lead following her three-point barrage, the Govs were up by 21 with 5:10 to play. 

INSIDE THE BOX SCORE

• Mya Williams led with 12 points and four three-pointers.
• Jade Rucker, Anovia Sheals, and Kyra Perkins had 11 points apiece. Jim'Miyah Branton had 10 points.
• Sheals led APSU with nine rebounds. 
• Branton had a team-high seven assists. 
• Ines Gnahore had four steals. 
• The Govs' 11 three pointers matched their season high set against Bellarmine, Feb. 21. 
• The Govs outscored the Hatters 13-6 from turnovers, 22-20 in the paint, 7-5 from second chances, and 22-1 from the bench. 

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