APSU Governors Basketball mistakes, cold shooting costly in 80-70 loss to Cal State Northridge

Mount Pleasant, MI – Josh Greene stole an errant pass and scored on a go-ahead layup with 39 seconds left in overtime as Cal State Northridge defeated Austin Peay State University, 80-77, Friday afternoon in second-round action of the Central Michigan Tournament played at McGuirk Arena.

The loss was the Govs second straight in the tourney and drops them to 2-3 on the season. Cal State Northridge improved to 3-2. The Govs now will face Montana State, 4:30pm, Saturday in their final tourney game.

The Govs will have to search deep in that final game after letting Friday’s game get away from them, especially down regulation stretch and overtime.

After controlling most of the game, the Govs found themselves down by five points with 2:07 left. But five consecutive points—one Chris Horton field goal, two Horton free throws and one Damarius Smith free threw—tied the game with 57 seconds left.

After a Cal State Northridge turnover with 46 seconds gave the Govs an opportunity to win the game. However, the Govs missed three shots in final 18 seconds, including one at the buzzer, forcing overtime.

Then in overtime the Govs gained the lead on a Will Triggs layup and they regained a two-point lead, 77-75, on two Travis Betran free throws with 2:38 left. After the Matadors’ Aaron Parks could make just one of two free throws, the Govs got the ball back with 1:14 left with a chance to extend the lead.

But a miscommunication between Zavion Williams and Betran resulted in Greene stealing the ball just outside the top of the Govs’ key. He raced for an uncontested layup with 39 seconds left.

Betran, who struggled from the perimeter all night, then missed a three pointer with 12 seconds remaining. The Matadors’ Stephan Hicks retrieved the rebound and was immediately fouled. Hicks converted both—he was 12-for-12 at the line during the night.

Still APSU had one final chance to tie but Tre Hale-Emerson got a piece of Betran’s three pointer at the buzzer and the Matadors escaped with the victory.

The Governors, who began the contest 9-of-16 from the field, made just 12 of 38 field goals the game’s remainder against the Matadors’ 2-3 zone defense, finishing just 21 of 54 (38.9 percent) from the floor. In particular, the Govs struggled from three-point range, shooting just 6-of-26 (23.1 percent). The only place APSU was effective shooting was the free-throw line, going 29 of 37 (78.4 percent).

APSU led by as much as 12 points, 20-8, in the game’s first seven minutes. But the Matadors, battling foul troubles, shifted to zone and it slowed the Govs’ offensive momentum. Still, APSU by six, 37-31, at halftime.

Will Triggs and Travis Betran led the Govs with 17 points, but Betran suffered through a 3-of-15 night from the three-point line. Horton finished with 15 points and 10 rebounds. It was Horton’s second double-double this season and ninth of his career.

Making his first start at point guard, Smith finished with 11 points before fouling out in overtime.

Hicks turned his flawless free-throw effort into a game-high 24 points while Stephen Maxwell added 18.