APSU Sports Information: APSU Basketball
Clarksville, TN – Austin Peay State University men’s basketball team showed much progress during its second basketball scrimmage, Sunday afternoon, in Dave Aaron Arena.
Head coach Dave Loos split his two teams equally in the first 20 minutes of the scrimmage and it was displayed on the scoreboard as the White team defeated the Black team, 40-39. In the second half, the Black team was comprised of all the Govs’ most veteran members, at least initially, as it rolled to a 51-39 verdict.
The White team shot right at 50 percent in the first 20 minutes while the Black team shot just over it in the second 20 minutes.
“Our guys have to understand that every part of the game impacts shooting percentage,” APSU coach Dave Loos said. “If you don’t get back (on defense) and they get a quality shot, that impacts it. On the flip side, if you can run it (down the floor) and get easy looks, that impacts it.
“The idea is to get quality shots and keep them (opponent) from getting as many.”
The two teams were charged with 25 turnovers during the afternoon and that number increased on both ends when the respective teams utilized three-quarters court defensive pressure. The turnovers are what concerned Loos, especially in the second 20 minutes as he returned to his earlier emphasis regarding shooting percentage.
“I always have said that when you look at field goal percentage that you have to factor in the turnovers,” Loos said. “We have to have a better idea of taking care of the basketball because when you have a turnover that is the same as a missed shot.
“From that standpoint, we have to really clean it up—we just have to get better.”
Senior guard TyShwan Edmondson, a preseason All-Ohio Valley Conference selection, was on fire in both ends of the scrimmage, scoring 15 in the first 20 and 12 in the second, going 12 of 24 from the floor. He also had five assists and three steals during the scrimmage.
In addition to Edmondson, senior center John Fraley was consistent on the boards in both halves, grabbing seven in each to go with 11 points.
Senior forward Melvin Baker had a combined 23 points on the night, scoring six points for the Black in the second half, before adding another 10 for the White when he switched jerseys. He also had 13 rebounds.
Forward Will Triggs, playing for the White team in the first 20, had 10 points in the first half and 12 overall to go with eight rebounds.
Junior guard Justin Blake had 14 points over the two halves, including an impressive four-of-five from three-point range.
The Governors will now look ahead to Thursday night when they play host to Division II power Central Missouri in a 7:00pm, exhibition contest.
