CLARKSVILLE, Tenn. ? Akron opened the second half with an 11-4 run and were never headed as the Zips defeated Austin Peay State University, 64-55, in non-conference basketball action, Saturday night, in Dave Aaron Arena.
The loss drops APSU to 4-6 on the season while Akron, a member of the Mid-American Conference, improves to 7-2.
Akron, which trailed 29-27 at halftime, watched Nat Linhart open the second half by nailing a jumper to tie the game before Cedrick Middleton's three pointer 32 seconds later gave the Zips the lead for good.
The Govs stayed close much of the second half, trailing 38-37, with 13:21 left after an Ernest Fields tip-in and 41-39 after a Derek Wright bucket. But Steve McNees responded with a three pointer to make it a five-point game with 11:30 left. The Govs would get no closer than three points the game's remainder.
Akron, which hit just 2-of-9 from three-point range in the first half, connected on 7-of-15 in the second half, seemingly answering any Govs challenge with a three. The Governors, who had two first-half three pointers, failed to connect on a second-half three in five attempts.
Linhart led Akron with 14 points, all in the second half , including a trio of three pointers. Middleton added 12 points while Nick Dials added 11 and Jeremiah Wood 10, all in the first half.
Drake Reed led the Govs with 17 points while Fernandez Lockett added 10.
The loss was APSU's first on Dave Loos Court. The playing surface was named after the Governors head coach last spring.
The game was a rematch of last February's BracketBuster contest.
-AP-
APSU Head Coach Dave Loos on:
On the play of Ernest Fields, Brandon Harriford and Tomas Janusauskas
“Yeah Earnest hustled tonight. I thought he really got off the floor and got some big rebounds for our team. Brandon had a good game for us tonight. We got some really good minutes from him tonight also. Tomas did the things we asked of him. Goodness we really needed some size out there and he came in got a block and some rebounds so that is something encouraging.”
On the lack of size inside
“I think it does hurt us in the half-court game. Our lack of an inside presence when we step outside the league and sometimes in it, really shows. You can look at Akron forward (Jeremiah) Wood to see that tonight. You have a good player who is really put together and he comes in here and gets a double-double inside. We don't have someone like that, and it's something we need badly.”
On getting over the hump and winning
“We are not that far away and yet it seems like we are miles off. It's discouraging as a coach to see our team not shoot the ball well and have stretches that we can't get a bucket. The veteran players have to continue to step up when we need them to and lead this team as we head deeper into conference play. I know this team can make the plays it just comes down to executing.”
Game Notes: Akron
The loss marked the Govs first loss since the court was renamed Dave Loos Court.
Todd Babington's consecutive games with a three-point basket streak ended at 26 games.
Leading scorers at the half: AP ? Drake Reed 9; Zips ? Jeremiah Wood 10
Reed extended his double-figure scoring streak to five games.
The Govs had season lows in three-point baskets made (2) and attempted (10).
Leading scorers for the game: AP ? Reed 17; Zips ? Nate Linhart 14
