Austin Peay Governors Basketball drops overtime game to UT Martin Skyhawks 76-74

APSU Sports: Austin Peay Men’s Basketball

Martin, TN – Austin Peay State University has found different ways to lose during its current losing streak, but Saturday night was a new one.

Official Andrew Walton called an over-the-back foul on Chris Horton with 0.1 seconds left in overtime, and UT Martin cashed in with a pair of free throws to hand the Governors their eighth straight loss, 76-74, in Ohio Valley Conference basketball action.

The call on Horton was the only foul called on an offensive rebound during the night as the Skyhawks hammered APSU with 22 offensive rebounds compared to the Govs’ six.

But the Govs only to have look to themselves in the second half to see how they allowed a 10-point lead escape. APSU made just four second-half field goals in 15 attempts. They were saved by going 21 of 24 from the free-throw line.

But it was the second-chance opportunities, 11 offensive rebounds leading to 11 points in the half, that allowed UTM to claw back into the game. The Skyhawks also kept the ball out of the paint, UTM big men outscoring APSU 18-4 in the final half.

But despite the offensive and rebounding woes, the Govs still had an opportunity to win the game in regulation. After Dee Oldham tied with a lane jumper  with 24 seconds left, the Govs had the ball for the final shot.

But Travis Betran could not escape a double team and fired up a wild shot at the buzzer sending it to overtime at 66 all.

In overtime, UT Martin gained the early advantage with a basket and later a free throw for a three-point lead. But APSU responded with a Chris Horton free throw and then a Will Triggs bucket to tie the game at 69-69.

After a UTM miss, Betran gave APSU the lead with a short jump shot, but then Mike Liabo nailed a three to put the Skyhawks up, 72-71, with 1:01 left. But Triggs got one of the few Govs’ offensive rebounds on the night and was fouled when putting it in. He made the free throw to give APSU a 74-72 lead with 22 seconds left.

But Betran fouled Liabo well beyond the three-point line with 15 seconds left. Liabo made the first and last free throw to tie the game at 74 all.

Again, the Govs had a chance to win it. This time Betran missed a long jumper and Horton snatched the rebound over a surprised Taylor, but the rebounding foul was called, setting up the game-winning free throws.

Betran and Anthony Campbell led the Govs with 22 points apiece with the former going 10-of-10 from the line while Campbell was 6-of-6. Campbell was a perfect 4-of-4 from three on the night as well.

Triggs followed up his career-best 29-point performance against SEMO with 15 points. Horton, meanwhile, had 10 rebounds and seven blocked shots.

Liabo came off the bench to lead UTM with 21 points while Taylor added 19 and 13 rebounds, seven on the offensive glass.

Box Score

Austin Peay vs UT Martin
1-5-13 6:15pm at Elam Center – Martin, TN

Austin Peay 74

UT Martin 76