BOX SCORE

MURFREESBORO, Tenn. ? Austin Peay State University men's basketball team picked up a non-conference win, 78-75, over Middle Tennessee, Saturday, at the Murphy Center. The game was won at the free-throw line for the Govs where they shot 86.1 percent (31-of-36), including 7 of 8 in the game's final minute.

Senior Derek Wright, in fact, put Austin Peay ahead by three points after sinking a pair of free-throws with 31 seconds left and followed with a steal on the ensuing possession to go back to the line and seal the game. Wright finished with 16 points and four assists, including 6-of-6 from the free-throw line.

The Govs led almost the entire first half, but trailed at the break, 37-35, after a buzzer-beating three pointer by Demetrius Green. The lead for the Govs came early when senior Fernandez Lockett hit a pair of free-throws to go ahead, 14-7, at the 14:21 mark. The Blue Raiders would narrow the gap to three points, 17-14, after two free-throws by Green.

When Lockett picked up his second foul with 10:35 to play, sophomore Ernest Fields would come on to provide quality minutes for the Govs. A layup by Nigel Johnson at 9:52 cut the Govs lead to 22-19. A missed three pointer by Austin Peay on the next possession was salvaged by a steal by Fields and senior Derek Wright would knock in a three pointer to make it 25-19, Austin Peay, with 8:40 to play. Fields had four steals in the frame.

Austin Peay's biggest lead, 29-21, came with 5:46 to play. Broderick Gilchrest, however, would hit a jumper at the 5:33 mark to spark a half-ending, 16-6, Blue Raider run.

After a tumultuous first half, the Govs came out firing on all cylinders with a 24-9 run to take a 58-46 lead with 10:44 to play. Middle Tennessee would gain its bearings and close the lead to one point, 65-64, with 5:41 left on a jumper by Desmond Yates. With 2:05 to play, the Blue Raiders saw their last lead, 70-69, on a pair of free-throws by Green. Channels hit a layup with a 1:36 left to put the Govs back ahead and set up the final sequence.

Reed led the Govs with 17 points. Sophomore Wes Channels had 11 points, while fellow sophomore Ernest Fields had career-highs in 10 points, seven rebounds and six steals in 24 minutes.

Green led three Blue Raiders in double-figures with 24 points. Theryn Hudson had 11 points, while Josh Sain added 10.

The win puts the Govs over .500 for the first time this season and extends their season's longest win streak to three games.

Austin Peay returns to the road in Ohio Valley Conference action with a 7:30 p.m., Thursday, game at Tennessee-Martin.

 

- AP -