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HomeSportsAPSU Governors Basketball falls 79-70 to Eastern Kentucky Colonels

APSU Governors Basketball falls 79-70 to Eastern Kentucky Colonels

APSU Sports Information

Austin Peay State University Governors - APSUClarksville, TN – Eastern Kentucky took advantage of early Chris Horton foul trouble and were never headed, defeating Austin Peay State University, 79-70, Saturday night, in Ohio Valley Conference-opening play at Dave Aaron Arena.

The loss dropped APSU to 7-9 overall while EKU collected its season’s second road win, improving to 10-6 overall.

Austin Peay Men's Basketball fall 79-70 to Eastern Kentucky at the Dunn Center Saturday night. (APSU Sports Information)
Austin Peay Men’s Basketball fall 79-70 to Eastern Kentucky at the Dunn Center Saturday night. (APSU Sports Information)

It was an OVC-opening game marred by officials’ whistles from the outset as a total of 53 fouls were called, with three players fouling out, while both struggled finding offensive rhythm at times.

Horton picked up two quick fouls barely a minute into the first half, forcing him to the bench for the next 12 minutes. Missing their best player, the Governors initially were able to hang with the Colonels, staying within two points much of the initial 10 minutes without Horton. But turnovers and other empty offensive trips saw the Colonels start to carve out an advantage.

APSU Chris HortonWhen the Colonels’ Paul Jackson knocked down a jumper with 6:10 left, it gave the visitors a six-point advantage. At the next deadball Horton returned to the lineup. Even with Horton’s return, the Govs offense remained out of sync while Jarelle Reischell (seven points) and Javonta Hawkins (11 points) helped stretch the Colonels advantage to 10, 40-30, at halftime.

Less than four minutes into the second half, the EKU lead grew to 14. But Reischel, who was averaging 20 points per game coming in, got into foul trouble, picked up his third and fourth five minutes into the half. Hawkins, who came in averaging 17.5 ppg, was called for No. 4 three minutes into the half.

APSU Jared SavageAs a result, the Governors were able to scrap their way back into the game, cutting to six, when Jared Savage nailed a three pointer with 10:01 left in the game. But the Colonels, relying on their drives to basket, started pushing the lead back out at the free throw line—Jackson made two while Hawkins made three of four.  When Jackson set up Greg King for a layup with 7:28 left, the lead had grown back to 10.

With Reischell hitting a floater and Jackson two free throws, the lead grew to 13, 67-54, with 5:15 remaining. The Govs made one last surge—Khalil Davis and Jared Savage sandwiched threes around a Kenny Jones layup with 2:08 left to make it a 69-62 game. A Ja’Mill Powell three pointer made it a 10-point game with 1:51 left. The Govs were able to chip the lead down to four on a Josh Robinson layup with 27 seconds left, but that was as close as they would get.

Hawkins led all scorers with 18 points before fouling out while Reischell added 17. Jackson had 12 points, six assists and two steals for the Colonels. Eastern Kentucky finished the night shooting 50 percent (27 of 54).

Davis led the Govs with 16 points and four assists while Horton, despite his first-half foul woes, ended with 15 points and 13 rebounds—his 12th double-double this season.

APSU Khalil DavisJones ended with 13 points and eight rebounds while Robinson, struggling from the floor much of the night, finished with 11 points. Savage, a freshman, made it two straight double-figure scoring games, ending with 10, as APSU placed five in twin figures.

The Govs, who shot only 39 percent (10 of 26) in the first half, finished the night at 43 percent after  shooting a more respectable 46 percent (13 of 28) in the final half.

The Governors also were hampered at the free-throw line, making just 18 of 32 (56 percent) compared to 19 of 28 (68 percent) by Eastern Kentucky.

Up Next

Austin Peay Basketball is back on the court Thursday, January 7th, 2016 to face Jacksonville State at home. Tipoff is at 7:30pm CT.

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