SAN JUAN CAPISTRANO, CA (CLARKSVILLE NOW) – Beginning last week when the Governors faced the University of Texas at El Paso, it marked the beginning of the 2023, third annual SoCal Challenge and Showcase.
In their first game against UTEP, Austin Peay came up short after battling it out with the Miners, 71-63.
Dez White, Demarcus Sharp and Ja’Monta Black all found themselves in double digit scoring points, as White and Sharp each scored 14, and Black shooting 13. The Governors then travelled to San Juan Capistrano to finish the out the SoCal Challenge. On Monday, Austin Peay faced Tarleton University, where the Texans outscored the Governors, 66-59.
Working to force the Texans to shoot the long ball, Austin Peay gave up seven 3-point shots, three coming from the Texans’ Lue Williams. Offensively, Governors Sharp and Black reached 17 and 16, and Sai Witt led in rebounding with seven.
Playing in a consolation game were the Governors and the Hornets of Sacramento State.
The game was hard fought, back and forth, with both teams going on scoring runs, and experiencing droughts. The Governors pulled ahead to take the win, 74-71.
Sharp finished the night with 33 points. The last time a Governor reached the 30-point mark was Terry Taylor on Feb. 13, 2021. Sai Witt started his first game and was able to draw 12 fouls on the floor and saw multiple trips to the charity stripe going 9 for 13.
The Governors wrap up this portion of their road stance 1-2 at the SoCal Challenge and Showcase. Austin Peay is traveling over Thanksgiving to Boone, North Carolina. The Governors will face Appalachian State University, on Sunday, Nov. 26. Tipoff is at 12:30 p.m.
Teams included in the tournament: Bradley, Tulane, UTEP, Austin Peay, Tarleton State, Sacramento State, California State Bakersfield, San Diego State, and the University of California at Berkely.