As the 2020-21 season continues to unfold for the women’s basketball teams of the OVC, the conference standings are starting to take shape.

So far, two OVC teams have played six conference games, four teams have played five, four teams have played four, one team has played three and one team has played just one conference game.

Belmont is the team that has only played one conference game so far after finishing last season tied with Tennessee-Martin for the best conference record in the OVC at 16-2. The Bruins have not played since Dec. 20.

Leading the way so far this season is Austin Peay with a 5-0 record in conference play. The Governors have the third-ranked offense in the OVC and the fourth-ranked defense, scoring 71.2 points per game while allowing 62.3. Austin Peay finished last season in seventh place in the OVC with a 9-9 conference record.

The Governors’ offense has been highly productive despite only having one player in the top-30 in scoring. Brianah Ferby is leading the team with 11.2 points per game, which ranks 15th in the conference.

Belmont is technically in second place in the OVC with a 1-0 conference record. Tied for third in the OVC with 3-1 conference records Jacksonville State and Southeast Missouri. Both third-place teams are fueled by their defense, with Southeast Missouri ranking second with 59 points per game allowed and Jacksonville State ranking third with 59.8 points per game allowed.

The top offense in the OVC belongs to Murray State, which is averaging 73.9 points per game. The Racers are led in scoring by Katelyn Young and Macey Turley who are averaging 15.3 and 13.9 points per game respectively.

Eastern ranks second in the conference in scoring, averaging 71.7 points per game this season.

They lead the OVC in field goal percentage (.446), free throw percentage (.761) and assists per game (16) while ranking second in three point percentage (.367)

Eastern is the only team in the OVC to have three players rank in the top-10 in scoring. Forward Abby Wahl ranks third averaging 15.7 points per game, guard Lariah Washington ranks seventh averaging 14.5 points per game and guard Karle Pace ranks 10th averaging 13.4 points per game.

Guard Kira Arthofer is tied for first in the OVC with 4.5 assists per game and Wahl ranks fourth in rebounding, averaging 8.5 per game.

The Panthers defense has struggled, ranking 11th in the conference allowing 74.5 points per game. As a result, they have a 2-4 conference record and are in 9th place.

The only winless team in the OVC this season is Tennessee State, which is 0-5 in conference play and 0-7 overall. The Tigers have the lowest ranked offense and defense in the OVC.

Adam Tumino can be reached at 581-2812 or [email protected].