Racers Lose Heartbreaker to Austin Peay in Semifinal of OVC Tournament

Friday, March 6

Nashville, Tenn.

Noon

Murray State

Austin Peay

Racers Lose Heartbreaker to Austin Peay in Semifinal of OVC Tournament

3/7/2009 6:00:00 AM | Women's Basketball

The Murray State women's basketball team lost a heartbreaker to Austin Peay in the semifinals of the 2009 Ohio Valley Conference Basketball Tournament, 90-84, at the Sommet Center in Nashville, Tenn.

The Racers (22-8, 16-2 OVC) were led by the senior combo of Amber Guffey, Paige Guffey, and Ashley Hayes. Amber Guffey Hayes added 28 points, eight rebounds, and one block. Paige Guffey was the final member of the team in double-digits with 16 points and two steals. tallied a game-high 35 points and added seven rebounds, and four assists.

“I know that we have three great players that are going to get the job done and they did their best tonight to do that,” said head coach Rob Cross. “We just fell a little short and sometimes you just don't make your shots.”

Murray State's season is not done, as they will get a WNIT bid after claiming the 2009 OVC regular-season title. The WNIT starts March 18-20 with the first round of action on campus sites. The selection of teams participating and hosting will be made on Monday, March 16.

“The good thing about today's game is that you have a chance to go out and play another game to get the taste of this one out of your mouth,” said Cross. “We are thrilled to be able to play another game and we will just have to wait for our match-up.”

The game didn't start out exactly how the Racers wanted as they found themselves down early in the first half by as many as seven points. The game became one of runs, as both teams went on several 4-8 point runs through the half. Murray State would erase a Lady Govs (16-15, 10-8 OVC) lead and tie the score or go ahead by one point and APSU would follow with another run to recapture the advantage.

The Lady Govs went on their final run in the half from the three-minute mark until there was 1:10 left to go up by four (36-32). The Racers then turned up the jets and went on a 7-2 run in the final minute of play to take a 39-38 lead into the locker room. The spurt started with a triple from Amber Guffey that was quickly followed by a steal by Mallory Schwab at the top of the key and a lay-up by Paige Guffey. Hayes capped off the run with a lay-up with three seconds left to give Murray State a 39-38 lead.

The time in the locker room helped the Lady Govs as they came out and started the second half like they did the first, with a three-point shot to retake the lead. The teams then traded baskets for the next six minutes before APSU went on a 6-0 run to take a five-point lead with 12:45 left to play. The Racers followed with a 4-0 run of their own to pull within one over the next two minutes, but a triple by the Lady Govs pushed the lead back to three.

Both squads stepped up the defense over the next three minutes with Murray State cutting the advantage to two points. APSU then went on a 7-0 run to push the lead to seven points with just over six minutes left. The Racers responded with a 4-0 run of their own, but another triple by the Lady Govs briefly broke the momentum. Hayes then got into the three-point scoring on the night and started a personal 5-0 run to cut the lead to one point.

Murray State kept the score within three to five points the rest of the half but could not get any closer. The Racers had a chance to tie the game several times in the final two minutes when they were down just three and did not allow the Lady Govs to score during a one-minute span, but a jumper from Nicole Jamen game APSU the lead for good. Murray State was forced to foul and the Lady Govs took advantage, earning 10 points in the final minute of the game from the line.

Both teams had strong shooting performances, with both averaging over 50 percent from the floor. The Racers earned the advantage in the percentage column, 53.7 to 50.7, overall, but APSU's three more triples was one of the keys to victory. Another key advantage for the Lady Govs was free-throws, as they made 12-of-17 and Murray State only attempted 11 and only made an uncharacteristic seven.

“I thought that it was a tremendously played basketball game,” said Cross. “With high shooting percentages and low turnovers. I thought that the big key to the game was that we didn't get to the free-throw line and then didn't shoot well when we did.”

Notes: This will be the third-straight season that Murray State will play in a postseason nation tournament...the Racers played in the WNIT during the 2006-07 campaign and then the NCAA Tournament in 2007-08.

Quotes

Head Coach Rob Cross

“You have to give credit to Austin Peay. They had a tremendous day shooting the ball.”

“The effort that our seniors have given all year means a lot to Racer basketball. They played like champions and were ready to get the job done all season.”

“This time of year it is one and done and it takes a hot team to win a tournament. If Austin Peay shoots the ball like they did tonight they can beat anyone in this conference.”

“Amber Guffey and Ashley Hayes are two of the better players in the nation. They are both WNBA caliber and they are pros. When you get pros in the OVC they are going to shine and that is what they have done all season. I am very proud of them.”

“The WNIT gives teams in conferences like ours an opportunity to play for a championship. It is just a great way to end your season.”