CLARKSVILLE, Tenn. (Interstat) — In a stunning reversal of fortune from their meeting just 26 days prior, the North Florida Ospreys weathered a furious second-half rally to upset the Austin Peay Governors 69-66 in a women’s NCAA Division I basketball game Thursday night at the Winfield Dunn Center.

The victory, secured by a clutch three-pointer in the final seconds, avenged a 25-point home loss to the Governors in early January and snapped a two-game skid for the Ospreys.

North Florida (8-12) appeared poised for a blowout, exploding to a 21-6 lead after the first quarter behind the hot shooting of Alonya Waldon and Jamisyn Stinson. The Ospreys’ defense stifled Austin Peay (13-6), holding the Governors to 2-of-14 shooting from the floor in the opening period while forcing seven turnovers.

The Ospreys maintained a comfortable 38-21 advantage at halftime, but the game transformed entirely in the third quarter. Austin Peay, ignited by the backcourt duo of Jim’Miyah Branton and Mya Williams, unleashed a 29-point period, erasing the 17-point deficit with a relentless full-court press. The Governors forced eight North Florida turnovers in the quarter, converting them into easy transition baskets. A driving layup by Branton capped a 23-6 run that tied the game at 44-44, and the hosts took their first lead since 2-0 on a pair of Lameria Thomas free throws with 6:49 left in the third.

The game settled into a tense, back-and-forth affair for the remainder of the second half. Austin Peay held a 55-52 lead early in the fourth quarter after an Anovia Sheals three-pointer, but North Florida clawed back. The Governors still led 64-61 with under three minutes to play after a Kyra Perkins layup.

The most critical sequence of the game followed. With 2:53 remaining, Branton fouled Waldon on a three-point attempt. The North Florida guard calmly sank all three free throws to tie the game at 64. After a Branton layup put Austin Peay back ahead, Stinson answered with a three-pointer off an Alexa Washington assist, giving the Ospreys a 67-66 lead with 2:28 to go.

Both teams traded empty possessions over the next two minutes. With 31 seconds left, Branton hit a tough jumper to put Austin Peay back up by one. North Florida called timeout and ran a play for Waldon, who delivered a deep three-pointer with 15 seconds on the clock, putting the Ospreys ahead 69-66.

Austin Peay had two final chances. After a timeout, Sheals missed a potential game-tying three-pointer with five seconds left. The Governors retained possession on a held ball with 2.2 seconds remaining, but Sheals’ second attempt from beyond the arc was off the mark as time expired.

Waldon, a 5-foot-5 guard from Melbourne, Florida, was the catalyst for North Florida, scoring a game-high 24 points and dishing out five assists in 38 minutes. Her performance marked a significant uptick from her recent outings, providing the offensive leadership necessary for the road upset. Stinson, from Thornville, Ohio, added 18 points, including four three-pointers. Dezuray McGill of Miami contributed 11 points and key interior defense.

Austin Peay was led by Branton, who scored 17 points and had three assists and a block. Thomas, from Montgomery, Alabama, recorded a double-double with 16 points and a game-high 14 rebounds, including seven on the offensive glass. Williams added nine points and three assists.

Statistically, North Florida’s efficiency proved decisive. Despite committing 21 turnovers and being out-rebounded 14-6 on the offensive glass, the Ospreys shot a blistering 45.8% from the field and 47.4% from three-point range. They also made 16 of 19 free throws. Austin Peay, conversely, shot just 37.3% from the floor and 7 of 19 from deep, unable to overcome its cold start.

The win improves North Florida to 8-12 overall, while Austin Peay falls to 13-6. The Ospreys travel to face Lipscomb on Saturday. Austin Peay will host Jacksonville the same day.