NASHVILLE – In a defensive battle between Lipscomb University and Austin Peay State University, it was the Governors that picked up the 48-43 victory in a defensive bout on both sides, Friday night inside Allen Arena to conclude the regular season. 

Prior to tip, the Bisons acknowledged two of its seniors in Taylor Bowen and Molly Heard. 

Final Score: Austin Peay 48, Lipscomb 43
Location: Nashville, Tennessee (Allen Arena)
Records: Lipscomb (10-19, 7-11), Austin Peay (16-12, 8-10)
 
HOW IT HAPPENED
The Bisons used a quick 6-0 run to lead 11-7 with field goals by McKayla Miller and Taylor Bowen, as they went into the second period with an 11-9 lead. 

The second quarter saw the lid on the rim on both sides, as neither team scored for nearly five minutes. Despite a Bowen jumper to end the drought, the Govs scored the next six to lead 21-17. 

Lipscomb did respond with four free throws by Miller, but a late 3-pointer on a turnover by Jade Rucker, scoring 12 of APSU's 15 points in the period, to give the visitors the 24-21 lead. 

Austin Peay swelled the lead to seven with five straight points to make it a 32-25 affair at the six-minute mark. The Bisons were able to cut the deficit to two twice in the contest, but the Governors had the 34-32 lead through 30 minutes. 

In the fourth, both defenses remained stout, but it was APSU who went on a 9-2 run to make it a nine-point lead, 43-34, with two minutes to go, as that held up for the win. 

KEY STATISTICS
Molly Heard's streak of consecutive steals will go into the conference tournament, as she picked up her 27th straight game with a theft. The senior finished the night with a double-double, scoring and grabbing 10 rebounds each. 

McKayla Miller led all Bison scorers with 11 points and added eight rebounds, four assists and three blocks. 

UP NEXT
With the regular season in the books, the Bisons will turn their attention to the 2026 Atlantic Sun Conference Tournament. The Bisons will rematch with the Governors in the first round in a battle of the 8-seed and the 9-seed. 

Tip is scheduled for noon EST / 11 a.m. CST on Tuesday from UNF Arena in Jacksonville, Florida. The winner will take on top-seed Eastern Kentucky on Thursday, March 4 from VyStar Veterans Memorial Arena.