RICHMOND, Ky. (Interstat) — Joseana Vaz scored 33 points and Eastern Kentucky weathered a frantic fourth-quarter rally from Austin Peay to secure a 67-60 victory in a women’s NCAA Division I basketball game Saturday at McBrayer Arena.

The Lady Colonels, who improved to 21-4 overall, built a commanding lead through three quarters before holding off a late surge by the Governors, who fell to 13-9.

Vaz, a junior from Praia, Cape Verde, delivered a dominant performance, shooting 13 of 23 from the field and adding six rebounds. Her scoring output was pivotal for Eastern Kentucky, which struggled at times with efficiency but capitalized on Austin Peay’s mistakes. The Governors committed 18 turnovers, which the Lady Colonels converted into 25 points.

Eastern Kentucky led 13-11 after a disjointed first quarter marked by early turnovers from both sides. The Lady Colonels began to create separation in the second, outscoring Austin Peay 19-13 to take a 32-27 lead into halftime. The advantage grew to 47-37 by the end of the third quarter, as Austin Peay’s offense managed only 10 points in the period.

The most important part of the game unfolded in the final quarter. Austin Peay, led by Anovia Sheals and Jim’Miyah Branton, erupted for 23 points and mounted a serious challenge. A 3-pointer by JaNiah Newell with 3:33 remaining cut Eastern Kentucky’s lead to 59-57, bringing the Governors within a single possession for the first time since the first half.

Vaz, however, extinguished the comeback attempt. On the ensuing possession, she answered with a clutch 3-pointer to push the lead back to five. After a pair of free throws from Newell again narrowed the gap to three, Vaz hit a tough jump shot with 2:16 left to make it 64-59. She then assisted on a Kenleigh Woods layup that stretched the lead to seven with under a minute to play, effectively sealing the outcome.

While Vaz provided the offensive firepower, Eastern Kentucky’s defense was instrumental. The Lady Colonels recorded six steals and three blocks, with Kailani Lindsey contributing two blocks and five rebounds in just nine minutes. Austin Peay shot a respectable 48% from the field but was hampered by its turnover count and a 5-for-8 performance at the free throw line.

Sheals led Austin Peay with 17 points and seven rebounds. Branton filled the stat sheet with 13 points, seven rebounds and eight assists, but also committed seven of her team’s turnovers. Newell added 11 points, all in the second half.

Eastern Kentucky’s Ella Bradley, a freshman from Cambridge, New Zealand, played a key complementary role with seven rebounds and four assists, while Liz Freihofer of Union, Kentucky, logged 40 minutes and contributed nine points and four rebounds.

The Lady Colonels finished the game shooting 46.2% from the field and outscored Austin Peay 32-26 in the paint. Despite making only 6 of 22 attempts from 3-point range and 13 of 23 from the foul line, they did enough to secure their fifth consecutive victory.

Austin Peay, which has lost three of its last four games, was coming off a 55-50 road loss to North Alabama. Eastern Kentucky entered the contest having defeated Lipscomb 61-55 on Wednesday.

The teams are scheduled to meet again in Clarksville, Tennessee, on Feb. 25.

Attendance at McBrayer Arena was 630.