Update, 9:35 a.m.: Following their narrow loss on Wednesday, the Governors picked up their first win in Spain after defeating a Barcelona select team on the morning of Thursday, Aug. 8.

With the victory, Austin Peay men’s basketball concludes their time in Barcelona and will now look to play the third and final game of their road trip in Madrid.

Previously

CLARKSVILLE, TN (CLARKSVILLE NOW) – The Austin Peay State University men’s basketball team kicked off their international road trip on Wednesday, Aug. 7, when they traveled to Barcelona, Spain, for their first overseas exhibition game since the 2012-13 season.

The contest went down to the wire and was not decided until the final minute of play when the Barcelona select team won by a score of 72-70. The Governors held a narrow lead going into the final minute thanks to 10 fourth quarter points by LJ Thomas. However, it was not enough in the end.

Redshirt junior guard Quan Lax led Clarksville’s hometown team in scoring with 17 points on the night, which included making 5 three-point baskets, according to Austin Peay athletics. Meanwhile, Thomas finished with 12 points, and Isaac Haney and Darius Dawson finished with 9 points each.

Austin Peay State University men’s basketball during their first exhibition game in Barcelona, Spain on August 7, 2024. (Contributed by Casey Crigger with APSU athletics)
Austin Peay State University men’s basketball during their first exhibition game in Barcelona, Spain on August 7, 2024. (Contributed by Casey Crigger with APSU Athletics)
Austin Peay State University men’s basketball during their first exhibition game in Barcelona, Spain on August 7, 2024. (Contributed by Casey Crigger with APSU athletics)
Austin Peay State University men’s basketball during their first exhibition game in Barcelona, Spain on August 7, 2024. (Contributed by Casey Crigger with APSU athletics)
Austin Peay State University men’s basketball during their first exhibition game in Barcelona, Spain on August 7, 2024. (Contributed by Casey Crigger with APSU athletics)
Austin Peay State University men’s basketball during their first exhibition game in Barcelona, Spain on August 7, 2024. (Contributed by Casey Crigger with APSU athletics)
Austin Peay State University men’s basketball during their first exhibition game in Barcelona, Spain on August 7, 2024. (Contributed by Casey Crigger with APSU athletics)
Austin Peay State University men’s basketball during their first exhibition game in Barcelona, Spain on August 7, 2024. (Contributed by Casey Crigger with APSU athletics)
Austin Peay State University men’s basketball during their first exhibition game in Barcelona, Spain on August 7, 2024. (Contributed by Casey Crigger with APSU athletics)
Austin Peay State University men’s basketball during their first exhibition game in Barcelona, Spain on August 7, 2024. (Contributed by Casey Crigger with APSU athletics)
Austin Peay State University men’s basketball during their first exhibition game in Barcelona, Spain on August 7, 2024. (Contributed by Casey Crigger with APSU athletics)
Austin Peay State University men’s basketball during their first exhibition game in Barcelona, Spain on August 7, 2024. (Contributed by Casey Crigger with APSU athletics)
Austin Peay State University men’s basketball during their first exhibition game in Barcelona, Spain on August 7, 2024. (Contributed by Casey Crigger with APSU athletics)
Austin Peay State University men’s basketball during their first exhibition game in Barcelona, Spain on August 7, 2024. (Contributed by Casey Crigger with APSU athletics)
Austin Peay State University men’s basketball during their first exhibition game in Barcelona, Spain on August 7, 2024. (Contributed by Casey Crigger with APSU athletics)
Austin Peay State University men’s basketball during their first exhibition game in Barcelona, Spain on August 7, 2024. (Contributed by Casey Crigger with APSU athletics)
Austin Peay State University men’s basketball during their first exhibition game in Barcelona, Spain on August 7, 2024. (Contributed by Casey Crigger with APSU athletics)
Austin Peay State University men’s basketball during their first exhibition game in Barcelona, Spain on August 7, 2024. (Contributed by Casey Crigger with APSU athletics)
Austin Peay State University men’s basketball during their first exhibition game in Barcelona, Spain on August 7, 2024. (Contributed by Casey Crigger with APSU athletics)
Austin Peay State University men’s basketball during their first exhibition game in Barcelona, Spain on August 7, 2024. (Contributed by Casey Crigger with APSU athletics)
Austin Peay State University men’s basketball during their first exhibition game in Barcelona, Spain on August 7, 2024. (Contributed by Casey Crigger with APSU athletics)
Austin Peay State University men’s basketball during their first exhibition game in Barcelona, Spain on August 7, 2024. (Contributed by Casey Crigger with APSU athletics)
Austin Peay State University men’s basketball during their first exhibition game in Barcelona, Spain on August 7, 2024. (Contributed by Casey Crigger with APSU athletics)
Austin Peay State University men’s basketball during their first exhibition game in Barcelona, Spain on August 7, 2024. (Contributed by Casey Crigger with APSU athletics)

With the loss, Austin Peay will be looking to bounce back with one game left to play in Barcelona before making their way to Madrid for their final game of the road trip.

“This has been a phenomenal experience,” said Austin Peay men’s basketball coach Corey Gipson. “We couldn’t have asked for anything better; we couldn’t have asked for a more competitive game and opportunity. Iron sharpens iron, I felt like they believe we made them better, and I know for sure they made us better. We got everything that we wanted out of that game from a competitive nature standpoint.”

Austin Peay’s trip outside the United States is its first since traveling to Canada for a three-game Canadian Exhibition Tour prior to the 2012-13 season and is the program’s first trip across the Atlantic Ocean in its storied 94-year history, according to previous reports.

The last time the Governors took to the international stage, Gipson was in his first year as an assistant coach under Dave Loos. Austin Peay won two-of-three games in Toronto, defeating Seneca College, 79-71, and the ABC All Stars, 85-52.

During their trip to the Land of Cervantes, not only will the Governors play a trio of games, but they are also engaging with the community by putting on a youth clinic, taking a paella cooking classes, taking guided walking tours of the Gothic Quarter in Barcelona, visiting the Barceloneta Beach and visiting the Sagrada Familia.

APSU full scoring breakdown: Quan Lax – 17 points; LJ Thomas – 12 points; Isaac Haney – 9 points; Darius Dawson – 9 points; Akili Evans – 8 points; Daniel Loos – 6 points; Tate McCubbin – 6 points. (All stats were contributed by Austin Peay athletics)