Box Score

NASHVILLE, Tenn. – The EKU women's basketball team outscored Austin Peay by 25 points in the second half to overcome a 14-point first half deficit on its way to an 82-68 win in the first round of the Ohio Valley Conference Tournament on Thursday at Municipal Auditorium.
 
EKU (17-11) cut into the lead with an 8-0 run to start the third period, hitting on five of its first six field goal attempts and 16 of its first 20. Junior Jalen O'Bannon sank a jumper inside the paint to start the Colonel run. O'Bannon came away with the steal on the other end of the floor to lead to an easy bucket in transition for EKU.
 
Senior Shameekia Murray came away with two steals on two of Austin Peay's next three possessions, helping EKU trim the lead to five, 39-34.
 
After another score from O'Bannon, Michaela Hunter found senior Miranda Maples who drained a three-pointer to narrow the Austin Peay lead to two. On the following EKU possession Murray found a cutting Hunter for the layup in the lane, tying it up at 41 with 5:50 left in the third.
 
The Lady Governors (10-20) responded with a 6-0 run after the teams traded three-pointers to regain a 50-44 lead.
 
Hunter answered with two consecutive scores, as O'Bannon pulled down a critical defensive rebound that helped EKU to another score as time wound down in the third.
 
The teams entered the final period tied at 52 before the Colonel defense stood tough, holding the Lady Governors scoreless for the first 5:19 of the final stanza.

Meanwhile, the EKU offense continued to click. Junior Alexus Cooper knocked down a long ball, extending the Colonel lead to 57-52. After scores from Murray and Hunter, freshman Abby Wright hit from the corner to give EKU a double-digit lead, 64-52.
 
Later in the period, a steal from Zee Willix led to a layup from Wright, giving EKU its largest lead of the game, 68-52.
 
From there, the Colonels never forfeited their double-digit lead.
 
The Colonels shot 21-of-22 from the free throw line in the win, marking a new program record in an OVC Tournament game.
 
Hunter, O'Bannon and Murray all finished in double-digit scoring for EKU. Hunter netted a team-high 21 points, as O'Bannon and Murray combined for 32 points.
 
EKU will take on Murray State University (12-16) in Friday's semifinal matchup. Friday's game is scheduled for a 1 p.m. ET tip at Municipal Auditorium.