Austin Peay nips Otahks at the wire

CLARKSVILLE, Tenn. -- Southeast Missouri State University's women suffered their fifth straight loss at the hands of Austin Peay since coach B.J. Smith became the Otahkians' coach last season -- and Saturday's setback was no doubt the most frustrating of all.

The Otahkians turned in a solid performance and led much of the second half, but the Governors got a basket with 18 seconds remaining to rally for a 68-65 home victory.

Defending Ohio Valley Conference champion Austin Peay, which on Thursday was upset by Eastern Illinois to end its 26-game OVC winning streak, improved to 11-6 overall and 4-1 in league play. Southeast fell to 8-9 and 3-3.

"It's disappointing to lose, but I can live with that effort every time out," Smith said. "We didn't play perfect, but we battled. It was just a great game."

Overall, Austin Peay has beaten Southeast six consecutive times. The Govs have already won both of this year's regular-season meetings with the Otahkians after beating them three times a year ago, including in the finals of the OVC tournament.

"There's a good chance we could meet them again," Smith said, referring to a potential matchup in the league tournament.

Austin Peay sophomore forward Ashley Haynes hit 11 of 12 shots and led all scorers with 23 points. She also pulled down 12 rebounds.

"It was a tough game. It was a battle," Haynes said. "Both teams came ready to play."

Senior center Gerlonda Hardin added 18 points and 13 rebounds for the Govs. Sophomore guard Kera Bergeron had 15 points.

Southeast's only double-figure scorer was senior point guard Sarah Costello, who had 16 points. Freshman guard Jessica Aebi added nine points. Junior center Chandra Brown, junior forward Miah Shelford and senior forward Yashika Sidbury all had eight points. Sidbury grabbed nine rebounds.

The game was close the entire way, with each team holding eight-point leads in the first half but nothing larger than that.

Trailing 29-28 at halftime, the Otahkians controlled much of the second half and held several six-point leads, the last at 56-50 with just over six minutes to go.

Austin Peay used a 7-0 run to go up 57-56 with 3:30 remaining. Southeast led three more times after that, including 65-64 as Sidbury hit two free throws with 32 seconds remaining.

Haynes drove for a tough bank shot from in close with 18 seconds left as Austin Peay surged back ahead 66-65.

Southeast called a timeout with 14 seconds remaining. Senior guard Kenja White drove inside but had her shot blocked by Hardin, who was fouled on the rebound with 2.3 seconds to go. Hardin made both free throws for a 68-65 advantage.

The Otahkians then tried a long inbound pass but it was deflected and the buzzer sounded as players from both teams were scrambling for possession.

"In the end we made the big defensive stop on White," Haynes said.

Added Smith, "Both teams hit big shots. They really hit some big shots toward the end. If we make a play we win, but I told the players we have to walk out and feel good about what we just did. We can build on this."