CLARKSVILLE, Tenn. ? Austin Peay State University men's basketball team opened the second half with a 12-2 run and never looked back as it defeated Rhodes College, 78-62, Thursday night, in exhibition basketball action.

The Governors, who led 46-30 at halftime, blew the game open in the first seven minutes of the second half. In fact, senior Todd Babington opened the second half by nailing a three pointer and being fouled on the play. The four-point play made it a 50-30 Govs advantage. Babington would finish with a team-leading 19 points, including five three pointers.

The Govs led by 20 or more points for much of the second half until head coach Dave Loos emptied his bench. Rhodes was able to cut the deficit to as few as 14 points in the final 3:15.

Drake Reed joined Babington in double figures with 16 points and four assists. Reserve guard Wes Channels led the Govs with seven rebounds while starting point guar Derek Wright had a team-high six assists and four steals.

The Governors shot 48.4 percent (30 of 62) from the floor but only 6 of 21 (28.6 percent) from the three-point line. In fact, excluding Babington's 5 for 11, the rest of the Governors went a combined 1 of 10 from three-point line.

The Govs also struggled from the free-throw line, connecting on just 12 of 27 (44.4 percent). Meanwhile, visiting Rhodes was a perfect 24 of 24 from the line.

Guard Cory Grant, who was 11 of 11 at the line, scored 20 points for Rhodes while Jared Hoskins came off the bench also to score 20, including five three pointers.

The Govs will return to exhibition play, 7 p.m., Monday, when they play host to Lambuth.

-AP-