NASHVILLE, Tenn. ? Austin Peay State University could not overcome a slow start as it fell to Vanderbilt, 81-67, Saturday night, in the season-opening basketball game for both teams played at Memorial Gymnasium.

The contest also served as the opening game for both in the South Padre Island Invitational.

The Governors fell behind 8-0 in the contest, not scoring their first basket until 16:28 left in the first half. They didn't score their second until 10:59 was left in the half. By then the Govs were down 18-5. As a result, the Govs played catch up the game's remainder.

APSU fought back, led by Todd Babington's three-point shooting, and late in the half the Govs went on a 10-2 run that cut the deficit to six, 38-32. But Alex Gordon hit a three pointer with seven seconds left to make it a 41-32 halftime contest. Gordon and All-America candidate Shan Foster combined to hit eight first-half three pointers.

The Govs again made it a six-point game to start the second half as Babington connected for his fourth three pointer. However, Vanderbilt quickly pushed it back out to a double-digit lead and then led by 19, 61-42, before the Govs began clawing back once again. The Govs went on a 12-2 run and then had the deficit down to eight, 64-56, with 8:56 remaining.

But the Govs then went cold and then a Gordon three pointer made it a double-digit game once against at 67-59. APSU would never cut the margin into single digits the game's remainder.

“I thought Vanderbilt played very well together, showed a lot of patience in getting what they wanted on the offensive end,” APSU coach Dave Loos said. “On the flip side, early in the game we tried to do too much too early. We would make one or two passes and force something up?we didn't show the discipline or the patience in the half court that we needed.”

Babington led the Governors with 21 points, including five three pointers. Fernandez Lockett recorded a double-double with 14 points and 12 rebounds while Wes Channels, off the bench, and Drake Reed each added 12.

Foster had 21 points, all coming from seven three pointers, while Gordon added 19, including five three pointers. Freshman center A.J. Ogilvy scored 16 of his 18 points in the second half.

Vanderbilt shot 54.5 percent from the floor, including an impressive 52.2 percent (12 of 23) from three-point range. The Govs, meanwhile, could manage only 34.5 percent shooting (20 of 58).

-AP-