Austin Peay (7-14/2-5) vs. Southeast Missouri (9-12/3-5)
Saturday, January 31st, 2015 | 7:00pm CT
Clarksville, TN | Dunn Center
Clarksville, TN – Austin Peay State University men’s basketball team hits the halfway point of the Ohio Valley Conference seeking a victory when it plays host to Southeast Missouri, 7:00pm, Saturday, in Dave Aaron Arena.
The Govs enter the contest with a 2-5 OVC mark and look to bounce back after Wednesday’s 82-69 home loss to Morehead State.The Govs, after rallying in the first half from a nine-point deficit to tie the game at halftime, struggled in the second half shooting.
In fact, the Govs shot an unsightly 19 percent (4 of 21) in the final half against Morehead State. However, the Govs did go to the free-throw line 39 times in the second half, but couldn’t convert enough (27) to keep them in the game down the stretch.
Chris Horton tallied his fourth straight double-double with 23 points and 11 rebounds—he went 15 of 20 at the free-throw line. But the 6-8 junior got little other help with freshman Josh Robinson (14 points) being the Govs’ only other double-figure scorer.
With this being the second of five straight OVC home games the Governors are in a must-win mode as they attempt to position themselves for a run to the league’s post-season tournament.
APSU will be playing a Southeast Missouri team also stinging from a home loss.
The Redhawks shot just 39.6 percent (21 of 53) from the floor in a 75-61 Thursday loss to SIUE in Cape Girardeau. It was the second straight double-figure loss by the Redhawks.
All-OVC performer Jarekious Bradley, who is averaging 15.1 points per game on the year, struggled through one of his worst career nights offensively, hitting just 1-of-10 from the floor while scoring just three points.
Guard Jamaal Calvin came off the bench to score 12 points, knocking down a quartet of three pointers, as did Isiah Jones while Nino Johnson and Antonius Cleveland added 10 apiece. Johnson and Cleveland each are averaging 9.9 points per contest.
The Redhawks were the preseason pick to finish second behind Murray State. They enter the contest at 9-12 overall and 3-5 in the OVC—this will start the second half of their league slate.
The Series
The two teams split last season’s two contest with the Govs winning at home, 80-74, January 4th, 2014, in Clarksville, before dropping an 83-80 decision, February 27th, in Cape Girardeau.
Deeper Meanings
What A Win Would Mean: The Govs would improve to 8-13…they would gain their second OVC home victory…they would improve to 3-5 in league play…they would improve to 6-3 at home this season…it would be APSU’s third win of 2015…they would finish January at 3-6… they would improve to 34-19 all-time against SEMO…it would make Dave Loos 34-19 all-time against Southeast Missouri…it would make Loos 10-5 all-time against SEMO coach Dickey Nutt.
What A Loss Would Mean: The Govs would fall to 7-15 overall…it would drop the Govs to 2-6 in the OVC…the Govs would slip to 5-4 at home…it would be the Govs second straight home defeat…APSU would fall to 1-3 against the OVC West…Loos would drop to 472-419 overall and 390-366 as the Governors head coach.
Broadcast Information
Radio • Governors Sports Network
Play-by-Play: Greg Walker
Analyst: David Loos
TV • GovTV • OVCDN
Play-by-Play: Barry Gresham
Analyst: Charlie Patten
Governors on the Web
Live Video: www.OVCDigitalNetwork.com/showcase
Live Audio: www.LetsGoPeay.com
Live Statistics: www.statbroadcast.com