APSU Governors Basketball beat Northern Colorado Bears for seasons first win

APSU Sports Information

Greeley, CO – The stats will show Austin Peay State University’s offensive effort was stellar, Sunday, in the Maui Jim Maui Invitational consolation game against Northern Colorado. The Governors scored more than 90 points and shot 60 percent or better from the floor in each half.

But in the 91-76 victory at the Bank of Colorado Arena it was the Governors’ second-half defensive effort that head coach Dave Loos saluted as APSU finally captured its first 2015-16 verdict—and a road victory at that—in improving to 1-4.

After watching the Bears shoot 52 percent in the opening half, including 5-of-10 from three-point land, the Govs held Northern Colorado to just 41 percent (11-of-27) shooting in the final half. The Bears made only three second-half three pointers.

“I was really pleased with our defense in the second half,” Loos said. “I think we tried to guard the entire game but in the second half, we just stayed after it. I think we wore them down a little with it and John Murry came in—he had a tough matchup (with Anthony Johnson)—that was a part of it.”

Murry not only helped limit Johnson to seven second-half points after the guard torched the Govs for 13 in the first half, but he also collected two steals. The former juco All-American from Owens (Ohio) Community College contributed 11 points and two assists.

His former juco teammate, forward Kenny Jones, also had his first double-digit scoring effort with 15 points, including a pair of three pointers, and five rebounds, all after senior center Chris Horton picked up two first-half fouls.

Despite Horton’s absences—he played only 26 minutes—the Governors were able to maintain their first-half lead (they took a 39-38 advantage into intermission) and then continually build their advantage in the second half. The Govs had only a 59-54 second-half lead when Horton picked up his third foul and was forced to the bench with 12:31 left.

Northern Colorado cut it to three, 59-56, but that was close as they could get. Josh Robinson, who struggled from the floor against Cal Poly, helped swing momentum completely towards the Govs when he hit a lane floater to give APSU a 64-58 lead.

After Northern Colorado made two free throws—the Bears were 20 of 22 on the night—Khalil Davis scored on a layup to put it back to six. After the Bears failed to score on their next trip, Robinson nailed a long three pointer and the advantage was at nine before Chris Porter-Bunton, playing in place of Horton, made it an 11-point game, 71-60, with 8:03 left.

Northern Colorado would not get closer than eight the game’s remainder as Murry’s three pointers and Jones’ second long-range bomb helped sniff out any Bears hopes for a comeback.

“It was truly a team effort,” Loos said. “One of the real pleasing things tonight was our balance and the way we played together. We had pretty good patience offensively—our shot selection was good—and  we had 20 points off the bench…that’s pretty good.”

Robinson and Davis led the Govs with 17 points apiece while Horton and Jones each added 15 points. Despite his foul troubles, Horton snared 10 rebounds, giving a double-double in both Northern Colorado games. The Govs placed five players in double figures for the first time January 1st, 2014.

Davis, who struggled with fouls against Cal Poly, also led the Govs with five assists,

“Khalil is the glue guy,” Loos said. “He has developed into a really good leader on this team. His intangibles are very important to us right now. He is playing well. He got a little out of control a time or two but overall he is playing well on both ends.”

The Govs shot an impressive 61 percent (14 of 23) in the first half and 65 percent (17 of 26) in the second half for an overall 63 percent effort. The 91 points were the most by a Governors team since they beat NAIA foe Dalton State, 93-57, December 20th, 2013. It was the first time APSU scored 90 points against a Division I foe since downing UT Martin, 91-58, to end the 2012-13 season.

Johnson and forward Jeremy Verhagen each had 20 points for Northern Colorado, which fell to 1-3 this season.

The Austin Peay Governors play at home Wednesday, November 25th against Oakland City. Tip off is at 7:00pm CT.

Box Score