Govs push Arkansas to the brink in nonconference finale

FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. — (ESPN Clarksville) Austin Peay State University men’s basketball found that it more than measured up to Southeastern Conference competition, giving Arkansas all it could handle in a 76-65 defeat at Bud Walton Arena, Friday.

Austin Peay (8-5) battled to the end and got huge minutes from its reserves but Arkansas (9-3) made a late second-half push to down the Govs in both squads nonconference finales.
Arkansas likes to play fast. Real fast. And the Govs obliged in an up-and-down first half that saw the lead change hands eight times and average less than 20 seconds per possession combined.

Although the Govs shot better (46.2 percent to 39.4 percent) and outrebounded (20-17) Arkansas, Austin Peay’s 10 first half turnovers did them no favors, particularly since the Razorbacks turned those into 12 points.

Neither squad led by more than five points during the half, although the Govs went up by four with less than nine minutes to go after a Jabari McGhee dunk. However, Austin Peay hit just two shots from the floor during the rest of the half, and Arkansas was able to capitalize and take a 34-33 lead into the break.

The battle heated up in the second half; Austin Peay smelled an upset of an SEC foe and the Razorbacks clearly resented being tested on their home court. But where Arkansas’ SEC caliber athleticism might’ve given it an edge, the Govs did the little things—diving for loose balls, making the extra pass—that offer the hallmarks of an upset. Neither squad seized the upper hand in the early moments of the half.

Austin Peay took a 52-48 lead on a jumper by senior Steve Harris, silencing the crowd and allowing the Govs to harbor hopes of an historic upset. But Arkansas took that time to embark on a game-changing 11-0 run, with reserve Razorback Keyshawn Embery-Simpson scoring seven of those 11 points. A four-point lead had become a seven-point deficit; an and-one opportunity by freshman

Antwuan Butler would get the Govs back within four, but Austin Peay would get no closer as the Razorbacks pulled away late.

Sometimes it’s as simple as shooting. Arkansas hit 7-of-17 from three, while Austin Peay checked in at a season-low 16.0 percent (4-of-25) from beyond the arc, with only sophomore Dayton Gumm hitting multiple attempts from deep.