CLARKSVILLE, Tenn. (Interstat) — Sharnecce Currie-Jelks scored 29 points and grabbed 12 rebounds to lead Murray State to a decisive 74-56 victory over Austin Peay in an Ohio Valley Conference women’s basketball game Saturday at the Winfield Dunn Center.

The Racers, improving to 8-2 overall, used a dominant second-half performance to pull away from the Governors, who fell to 4-2. The game’s most critical sequence came late in the third quarter, turning a competitive contest into a comfortable Murray State lead.

With Murray State ahead 45-38 and just over two minutes remaining in the third, Austin Peay’s Anovia Sheals missed a turnaround jumper. The Racers’ Halli Poock then found Currie-Jelks for a layup, pushing the lead to nine. On the ensuing possession, Currie-Jelks drew a foul and sank two free throws, giving Murray State its first double-digit advantage at 49-38. The Racers never led by fewer than 10 points the rest of the way, methodically extending their lead throughout the fourth quarter.

Currie-Jelks, a 6-foot-2 junior from Jackson, Tennessee, was efficient and overpowering, shooting 11 of 19 from the floor and adding a game-high 12 rebounds for her third double-double of the season. She has now scored 20 or more points in four consecutive games.

She was complemented by guard Halli Poock, who finished with 17 points and six assists. Haven Ford added 11 points and seven rebounds for the Racers, who shot 47.2% from the field and an impressive 90.5% from the free-throw line.

Austin Peay was led by Veronaye Charlton’s 17 points and Anovia Sheals’ 14 points and six rebounds. The Governors struggled offensively, shooting just 36.1% overall and 20.8% from three-point range. They also committed 11 turnovers, which Murray State converted into 15 points.

The Racers established control early in the paint, outscoring Austin Peay 34-24 inside, and their defense held the Governors to an offensive rating of just 86.6 points per 100 possessions.

Murray State’s win extends its strong start to the season, which includes recent road victories at Morehead State and Boston College. Austin Peay saw its four-game winning streak snapped.

The Racers’ next game is at home against Memphis on Dec. 15. Austin Peay travels to face Evansville on Dec. 14.