MEMPHIS, Tenn. ? Austin Peay State University's men's basketball team dropped a 104-82 shootout at No. 3 ranked Memphis, Tuesday night. The Govs fall to 2-4 overall while Memphis remains undefeated at 6-0.

The two teams shot a combined 60 percent (73-of-123) from the field in the contest. The Govs offense came to play, shooting a season-best 53.6 (30-of-56) percent from the field. Memphis, however, reared the real fire-power with a blazing 64.3 (43-of-67) percent shooting night.

In the first half, senior Todd Babington's free throw tied the game, 6-6, at the 17:40 mark, but the Memphis offense ripped at 12-3 run over the next three minutes to take a nine-point, 18-9, lead. The Govs kept it in single digits over the next several minutes, but the potent Tigers would have other plans.

Derrick Rose converted the conventional three-point play, sparking a 12-6 Memphis run capped by a Joey Dorsey dunk with five minutes left giving Memphis a 14-point, 40-26 lead. Austin Peay managed only two field goals ? a three pointer by Babington and a layup by sophomore Wes Channels ? in the first half's remainder as Memphis took a 53-36 lead into the break.

Junior Drake Reed led all scorers with 12 points at the half on 5 of 6 shooting and 2 of 4 from the free-throw line. Channels added seven points and Babington six to lead the Govs. Austin Peay shot 50 percent (13-of-26) from the field in the half.

Chris Douglas-Roberts led the Tigers with 11 points, while Rose, Willie Kemp and Shawn Taggart each scored nine points in the half. Memphis shot 67.7 percent (21-of-31) from the field, including 57.1 percent (8-of-14) from three.

In the second half, the Memphis lead would never sink below double digits. In fact, the Govs fell behind by 21 points, 62-41, with 17:33 remaining and the hot Tiger offense was simply unstoppable. Douglas-Roberts blazed the nets for 12 second-half points, while Rose added 10 points.

The Govs narrowed it to 16 points, 91-75, on a Channels jumper at the five-minute mark. After battling the Tigers like heavyweights throughout the second-half ? shooting 56 percent (17-of-30) in the final frame ? the Govs just did not have enough weapons.

Four Govs finished in double figures led by Reed's 21 points. Babington added 18 points on 5-of-8 three-pointers while Channels and Duncan scored 16 and 10, respectively.

Douglas-Roberts led all scorers with 23 points. Rose added 19 and Taggart 17 to lead Memphis.

Austin Peay returns to action with its Ohio Valley Conference opener, a 7 p.m., Saturday contest at Tennessee Tech.

- AP -