CLARKSVILLE, Tenn — (CLARKSVILLENOW) Austin Peay State University men’s basketball team couldn’t quite get the final push needed to overcome visiting Morehead State in Thursday’s 89-82 defeat at the Dunn Center.
The first half was the John Murry Show, with the senior displaying another burst of his offensive prowess early on. The Indianapolis native scored 10 points in 3:51 (18:15-14:34), the fifth time this season and second in as many games that he’s needed less than five minutes to score 10 points. It was part of an 18-point first-half barrage for Murry that gave Austin Peay a 42-38 advantage at the break.
Although a half-opening three-pointer by Josh Robinson would give the Govs a seven-point lead to start the second half, Morehead State was able to stymie the Governors (36.0 percent) from much of the final period. The two squads traded leads and ties until another Robinson three to tie the game at 75 with 4:59 remaining; the Governors would hit just one shot from the floor the rest of the way and were outscored 14-7 down the stretch. Morehead State’s Xavier Moon—who led all scorers with 26 points—scored 21 points in the second half and hit threes on back-to-back possessions to give the Eagles a five-point lead with 2:24 to go.
Although Morehead State’s control of the boards was notable, particularly the offensive glass (16 offensive rebounds), those turned into just nine second-chance points. However, the Eagles shot lights-out over the final 20 minutes, hitting 51.3 percent from the floor.
The Team Up North pays a visit to Clarksville when Murray State comes to town for the first Battle of the Border contest, 6:30 p.m., Saturday.