JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – The No.1 seed Eastern Kentucky University girls’s basketball group was upset in the primary spherical of the 2026 Atlantic Sun Conference Tournament falling to No. 8 seed Austin Peay by a rating of 45-41 on Thursday afternoon at VyStar Veterans Memorial Arena.
With the loss, EKU falls to 24-8 on the season and has its hopes of a convention event championship halted.
The Colonels have been led with 10 factors from freshman guard Kenleigh Woods, who joined two different EKU gamers in sophomore guard Liz Freihofer and senior guard Althea Kara Angeles enjoying all 40 minutes in the sport.
EKU had its lowest scoring effort of the season amassing 41 factors whereas capturing 29 % (15-for-51) from the ground, 12 % (3-for-24) from past the arch, and solely making eight free throws.
Austin Peay (18-12) advances to the ASUN semifinals and can play the winner of No. 4 seed Stetson or No. 5 seed FGCU on March 7. The Governors have been led by Anovia Sheals who scored 19 factors.
EKU set the tone early behind Woods, who drilled a 3-pointer on the opening possession, and the Colonels constructed a fast cushion with finishes from Kailani Lindsey and Joseana Vaz. Austin Peay discovered factors on the rim from Branton and Sheals, however EKU’s protection held the Governors to 4-for-17 capturing in the interval because the Colonels carried a nine-point, 17-8, benefit into the second quarter.
Austin Peay responded in the second behind Sheals’ downhill assaults and Lameria Thomas’ work on the offensive glass, trimming the deficit with second-chance alternatives. EKU’s offense stalled for lengthy stretches and the Colonels turned it over 4 occasions in the quarter, permitting the Governors to shut inside 4, 25-21, on the break regardless of a key 3-pointer from Ndidiamaka Ndukwe late in the half.
The Governors seized management in the third, holding EKU to only six factors whereas grabbing their first lead of the afternoon, 35-31. Jim’Miyah Branton scored twice inside to spark the surge, and Sheals and Jade Rucker helped Austin Peay end the quarter on high as EKU missed from deep and dedicated 5 turnovers in the interval.
EKU pushed again in the fourth with a bucket from Ndukwe and late free throws from Freihofer, however Austin Peay closed the sport on the line and gained 45-41. Sheals delivered the decisive factors in the ultimate minute, and the Governors’ protection turned EKU away on its final possessions to seal the upset.