[Box Score]

CLARKSVILLE, Tenn. - Eastern Illinois women's basketball fell behind early due to cold shooting and could not comeback late falling to Austin Peay 80-45. 

With the loss EIU drops to 1-19 and 0-8 in the OVC while Austin Peay improves to 7-13 and 5-2 in the OVC.

Phylicia Johnson led all scorers with 18 points and five rebounds, but the Governors utilized strong play underneath the rim to outscore EIU 46-10 in the paint.

Austin Peay raced out of the gates scoring the first eight points of the game. EIU did not score their first field goal of the game until the 2:51 mark in the first period as Johnson drained a three-pointer to make it 14-5. 

It looked as if EIU would finish the first period within shooting distance after five quick points pulled the Panthers within eight points as APSU led 18-10 with 33 seconds left. Austin Peay closed out the first period with a quick jumper followed by a steal and a layup as the buzzer sounded from Shelby Olszewski to put the Governors up 22-10.

It was the same story for EIU in the second period as Austin Peay opened the second period on an 11-1 run. The Panthers did not score a bucket until the 3:24 mark as Johnson broke the Governors run with a jumper to make it 33-13. The Panthers scored the final four points of the second quarter to make it 34-17 at halftime.

EIU shot 25 percent in the first half while Austin Peay finished the first half shooting 51.9 percent. 

The Panthers settled down in the third quarter as both teams traded buckets throughout the period. EIU found their stride shooting 41.7 percent in the third quarter, but could not break through the 15 point lead barrier as APSU had an answer for every Panther run. Austin Peay went into the final quarter leading 49-34.

The Governors extended their lead in the fourth quarter as EIU once again went cold only sinking two buckets the entire quarter. APSU outscored the Panthers 31-11 in the fourth quarter to earn the 80-45 win.

Jalisha Smith had a notable game coming off the bench to score nine points and record two rebounds.

Austin Peay had four players earn double figures led by Tiasha Gray with 17 points and six assists.

EIU continues their road trip next Wednesday [Jan. 27] at Murray State.