Tennessee Tech Golden Eagles vs. Austin Peay Governors
Saturday, January 25th, 2014 | 7:00pm CT
Clarksville, TN | Dave Aaron Arena / Dave Loos Court
Clarksville, TN – The Austin Peay State University men’s basketball team (8-12, 2-4) looks to turn things around Saturday night when it faces the Tennessee Tech Golden Eagles (10-11, 3-3) at the Dunn Center.
Saturday’s contest marks a pivotal point in OVC play for both the Golden Eagles and Governors.Tech enters having lost its last two league games while Austin Peay has dropped four in-a-row after starting 2-0. With both teams battling for a spot in the OVC tournament, the outcome could play a big factor in seeding and deciding who makes it.
This is the 138th meeting between Austin Peay and Tennessee Tech, two Ohio Valley Conference rivals, with the Governors trailing the series 68-69.
Austin Peay lost the only meeting between the two teams last year, a 70-52 decision in Cookeville, TN, January 26th, 2013. It was the Golden Eagles fifth straight win in the series.
Austin Peay Governors
The Governors enter the contest amidst a four-game losing streak after dropping a 71-59 decision to Jacksonville State, Thursday night.
Senior forward Will Triggs (16 points) and sophomore center Chris Horton (11 points) were the Govs only double-figure scorers.
Chris Horton blocked five shots, making it the 11th time this season with three or more single-game blocks and 27th time he has done it in his career.
Point guard Damarius Smith rolled an ankle in Wednesday’s practice and didn’t play against Jacksonville State. Smith’s replacements combined for nine turnovers.
Tennessee Tech Golden Eagles
Tennessee Tech was outscored 55-23 in the first half and was routed by Murray State, 92-53, in an early start in Murray. Center Dwan Caldwell was a bright spot with 14 points on 7-of-9 shooting.
Tech has taken on five in-state foes already this year, having faced-off against East Tennessee State, Lipscomb, the University of Tennessee, Tennessee State, and Belmont. The Golden Eagles are 2-3 in those meetings, with all three losses coming on the road.
The Golden Eagles have six players who average at least 7.6 points per game but don’t own one that is averaging in double figures. Forward Dennis Ogbe leads at 9.9 points and 6.1 rebounds per outing.
Jeremiah Samarrippas has been playing great basketball since league play began, averaging 12.5 points, 4.5 assists, and 1.7 steals while shooting 43 percent from 3-point range and 93 percent from the charity stripe.
This has been head coach Steve Payne’s best rebounding team since he took over nearly three years ago. The Golden Eagles are third in the OVC in rebounding offense, third in rebounding margin, and fifth in rebounding defense.
Media Center
Radio: Governors Radio Network
Play-by-Play: David Loos
Analyst: Brad Kirtley
WVRY 105.1-FM
www.letsgopeay.com
Television: CSS (NBC Universal)
Play-by-Play: Bob Belvin
Analyst: Eric Foister