49.5 F
Clarksville
Friday, March 29, 2024
HomeSportsAPSU Governors Basketball take on rival Murray State Racers Saturday afternoon

APSU Governors Basketball take on rival Murray State Racers Saturday afternoon

Austin Peay (7-19/2-10) vs. Murray State (23-4/13-0)

Saturday, February 21st, 2015 | 1:00pm CT
Murray, KY | CFSB Center

Austin Peay State University Governors - APSUMurray, KY – After a week of battling uncertain winter weather, Austin Peay State University men’s basketball team will return to action 1:00pm, Saturday, to face Murray State in an Ohio Valley Conference contest to be televised by the CBS Sports Network from the CFSB Center.

Austin Peay Men's Basketball on the road against Murray State Saturday. (APSU Sports Information)

After a week off—their Tuesday game at Eastern Kentucky was postponed to this coming Monday, the Governors come into the contest amidst a six-game losing streak.

As a result, the 7-19 Govs (2-10 OVC) enter with just a flicker of OVC tourney hopes.

APSU has a magic number of one—one loss by APSU or one win by Southeast Missouri over these last two weekends would eliminate the Govs.

APSU's Chris HortonAll APSU has to do in examining its struggles this season it can point to one issue—shooting. The Governors have shot less than 40 percent in 18 games this season, including 11 of 12 OVC contests. As a team, APSU has slipped to 39.9 percent shooting, 38.5 percent during league play.

APSU has scored more than 70 points just twice during OVC play and averaging only 64.4 points per game.

The Govs are out-rebounding the opposition and forcing more turnovers during conference play but just have been unable overcome their offensive struggles that also includes just 64 percent free-throw shooting in the 12 league games.

APSU's Josh RobinsonAPSU has been able to provide just a pair of double-figure scorers in conference play as Chris Horton is averaging 15.7 ppg along with 12.3 rpg while freshman guard Josh Robinson is at 12.8 ppg, most of his numbers coming off the bench.

Murray State already has clinched the OVC West championship and the No. 1 overall seed heading into the weekend. The 23-4 Racers have won 21 straight, the second longest streak behind No. 1-ranked Kentucky.

The Racers have a chance to become just the fourth team in 67 OVC seasons to go undefeated, the last being the 2003-04 Govs.

They are 13-0 in league play after rallying to defeat Southeast Missouri in overtime last Saturday.

Preseason Player of the Year Cameron Payne leads the way, averaging 19.6 ppg and 5.7 apg while Jarvis Williams comes in at 15.5 ppg, shooting 57 percent from the floor.

T.J. Sapp, who hit three key free throws with 2.6 seconds left in regulation against SEMO, is averaging 11.6 ppg while shooting nearly 40 percent from three-point range.

The More You Know

The Series: This is the 124th meeting between the two OVC rivals, Austin Peay and Murray State, with the Governors trailing, 82-41. The Governors have lost eight straight in the series, including an 82-72 loss, February 7th, in Clarksville. Cameron Payne and T.J. Sapp each had 27 points in the contest for the Racers. Khalil Davis had 23 points and 11 rebounds while Chris Horton had 16 points and 15 rebounds for APSU.

What A Win Would Mean: The Govs would improve to 8-19…they would gain their second OVC road victory…they would improve to 3-10 in league play…they would improve to 2-11 on the road this season…they would snap a six-game losing streak…it would be APSU’s third win of 2015…they would go to 1-4 in February…they would improve to 42-82 all-time against Murray State…it would make Dave Loos 20-37 all-time against Murray State…it would make Loos 1-7 all-time against Steve Prohm.

What A Loss Would Mean: The Govs would fall to 7-20 overall…it would be their seventh straight loss…it would drop the Govs to 2-11 in the OVC…the Govs would slip to 1-12 on the road…they would go to 0-5 in February…Loos would drop to 472-424 overall and 390-371 as the Governors head coach.

Broadcast Information

Radio • Governors Sports Network
Play-by-Play: David Loos
Analyst: Van Stokes

TV • CBS Sports Network
Play-by-Play: John Sadak
Analyst: Chris Walker

Governors on the Web

Live Video: www.OVCDigitalNetwork.com/showcase
Live Audio: www.www.LetsGoPeay.com
Live Statistics: www.statbroadcast.com

RELATED ARTICLES

Latest Articles