AUSTIN PEAY, JACKSONVILLE SET FOR NEW YEAR’S DAY SHOWDOWN JACKSONVILLE, Fla. (Interstat) — A surging Austin Peay women’s basketball team will look to extend its win streak when it visits Jacksonville to open the new year on Thursday. The Governors (8-2) have won four straight, including a 73-38 rout of Berry on Sunday, and will face a Dolphins squad (6-3) seeking to rebound from two consecutive road losses to Power Five opponents. The nonconference matchup tips at 2 p.m. EST at Jacksonville Veterans Memorial Arena. Austin Peay has found its rhythm after a Dec. 6 loss to Murray State, winning its last four by an average of 14.5 points. Ines Gnahore has been a key contributor during the run. The forward is coming off a 10-rebound performance against Berry and has averaged 5.3 rebounds over the last five games. “We’re building momentum with each game by focusing on defense and rebounding,” Austin Peay coach Brittany Young said. “This is a good test for us on the road.” Jacksonville, meanwhile, is returning home after a challenging Texas trip where it fell to TCU and Texas Tech by a combined 76 points. Guard Carmaya Bowman has been a consistent presence, scoring in double figures in two of the last three games, including a 10-point, 6-rebound effort against the Red Raiders. “We learned some tough lessons on that trip,” Jacksonville coach Special Jennings said. “Our focus is on bringing our energy and protecting our home court. Austin Peay is a very disciplined team, and we’ll need to match their physicality.” The Governors have shown balance, with Jim’Miyah Branton dishing out seven assists and Anovia Sheals adding 10 points and three rebounds in the win over Berry. Jacksonville will counter with Priscilla Williams, who led the team with 14 points against Texas Tech. The game begins a pivotal January schedule for both teams as they approach conference play. Austin Peay visits North Florida on Saturday, while Jacksonville hosts Lipscomb.