Austin Peay (10-5, 2-0) at Southeast Missouri (6-9, 1-1)
Thursday, January 10th ,2019 | 7:45pm CT
Cape Girardeau, MO | Show Me Center
Clarksville, TN – After a sweep of the first Ohio Valley Conference weekend, it’s back on the road for Austin Peay State University (APSU) men’s basketball team, with Southeast Missouri the first opponent in a 7:45pm tipoff, Thursday, in the Show Me Center.
The Govs haven’t won their OVC road opener since the 2010-11 season, but there’s certainly reason for optimism heading into this year’s first league game away from home.
For one, it’s been quite awhile since the Govs were playing this high a quality of basketball—winners of eight of their last nine games, with only a loss to SEC foe Arkansas serving as a blemish.
But the biggest factor might be how tested the Govs are at this point in the season. Away from the Dunn Center, the Govs are 5-5, but included in that are in-season tournaments in Jamaica and Florida, including a win at the St. Pete Shootout, along with three forced overtimes and visits to SEC foes Mississippi State and Arkansas.
Very simply, the Govs are ready for this next four-game stretch on the road.
About the Southeast Missouri Redhawks
Something’s going to give when the Govs and Redhawks square off–either Austin Peay’s dynamic shooting from deep (37.0 percent from three) will continue, or the Redhawks stinginess in opponent three-point shooting (28.5 percent three-point shooting defense) while rise to the challenge.
However, if the Redhawks are stifling on the perimeter, they’re vulnerable closer to the basket. In 2018-19, opponents are hitting 53.3 percent (269-of-505) on two-point attempts.
SEMO’s Skyler Hogan is a threat to keep an eye on from deep. He hits at a 44.0 percent clip and drops 2.5 threes per game, while partner in crime Ledarrius Brewer hits 2.0 per outing (at a less-than-stellar 29.5 percent clip). Few teams have embraced the long-ball revolution like Southeast Missouri–the Redhawks’ 408 attempted three-pointers are second in the OVC behind only Eastern Kentucky and 46th nationally.
Last Time Out Against Southeast Missouri
Terry Taylor put up a 19-point, 12-rebound outing. Zach Glotta popped from the outside with 19 points, including a trio of three-pointers. Dayton Gumm was near-flawless, with 14 points and six assists, to just one turnover. The departed Averyl Ugba had a monster 28-point, 8-rebound game and Austin Peay rolled to a 96-81 win in the Show Me Center, February 3rd, 2018.
The Govs showcased impeccable ball control, dishing out 23 assists to just 10 turnovers, the first time they had done that to a Division I foe since January 8th, 2009 (UT Martin).
Keep An Eye On
A win would give the Govs four straight against the Redhawks for the first time since winning seven straight from 2008-11.
Austin Peay’s bench is averaging 32.3 ppg over the last seven games, led by Dayton Gumm with 13.3 ppg over that stretch.
Since December 21th, freshman Antwuan Butler possesses a 3.3-to-1 assist-to-turnover ratio.
A fourth consecutive win in the Show Me Center would be the longest road winning streak for either squad in the series.
Gumm is hitting 58.1 percent from the floor since the Troy game (nine games).
Austin Peay has dominated the boards lately, with a plus-54 (average: plus-6.8) rebounding margin since Dec. 1.
A win would give Austin Peay its first 3-0 start to January since the 2010-11 season.
Since missing the Calvary contest with an injury, grad transfer Jabari McGhee is averaging 10.3 points, 6.2 rebounds and 1.2 steals on 69.7 percent shooting.
Follow APSU Govs Online
Check back at LetsGoPeay.com and on Austin Peay’s Official Athletics Facebook page often for up-to-date news about all Governor athletics, as well as the Governor men’s basketball Twitter page (@AustinPeayMBB). Live stats will be available during the game at PeayStats.com, and all home games and Ohio Valley Conference games can be viewed on the ESPN+ app.
Postgame video interviews and other videos from around APSU Athletics can be found on our YouTube page (www.youtube.com/letsgopeay).
