CLARKSVILLE, Tenn. — (ESPN CLARKSVILLE) Austin Peay State University men’s basketball team got a trio of standout performances to drop Morehead State in a 92-76 affair, Saturday, at the Dunn Center.
The win in a foul-filled contest (62 combined fouls) moved Austin Peay to 12-10 (7-3 OVC) on the season; Morehead State falls to 6-15 (2-8).
The Govs started out hot again in this one, hitting seven of their first eight shots from the floor to stake a 17-9 lead. Morehead State, an outfit ranking 309th in fouls per game (20.6) coming into the contest committed 10 in the first 9:50 of regulation, putting the Governors in the bonus early in the first half. Between the 15 free-throw attempts (10 made) and white-hot 58.6 percent (17-of-29) shooting from the floor, the Govs offense alone likely would’ve given them a comfortable lead at halftime.
Add in a stifling defensive effort, which limited Morehead State to 28.0 percent (7-of-25) shooting, along with 11 points and 13 rebounds in the first half alone from senior Averyl Ugba, and the Govs used the first half to make a statement to the rest of the league, leading 49-25 at the break.
Morehead State didn’t roll over; in fact, the Eagles gamely pushed their way back into contention by outscoring the Govs 28-16 over the first 10 minutes of the second half, eventually whittling Austin Peay’s lead down to five after a Djimon Henson three-pointer with 8:03 remaining.
With the game suddenly in the balance, Austin Peay’s offense roared once more to life. On back-to-back possessions, freshman Dayton Gumm pulled down an offensive board and laid it in for two, then was on the receiving end of a steal and assist from freshman Terry Taylor, which Gumm slammed home for two points to put the lead back in double digits. Down the stretch, the duo scored 18 of Austin Peay’s final 24 points, outscoring Morehead State over the final eight minutes by themselves (18-13) to preserve the win for the Govs.