EVANSVILLE, Ind.? Sophomore Caleb Brown scored a career-high 20 points, but Austin Peay State University men's basketball team could not hold onto a first-half lead as the Govs fell, 70-62, to Evansville, Saturday night, at Robert Stadium. It was the season opener for both teams.
After a terrific first-half shooting performance, the Govs struggled to get going in the second. Leading by three points, 37-34, at the break, an Austin Peay drought that spanned over 10 minutes without a field goal gave the Purple Aces enough to make a terminal run.
After senior Drake Reed's bucket at 16:46, then next Austin Peay field goal came with 6:28 to play on senior Kyle Duncan's layup. During that span, Evansville hammered a 17-6 run and built its lead to as many as 12 points, 53-41, at the 8:31 mark. After Duncan's basket, the Govs cut into to single digits, but battled foul trouble and continued poor shooting throughout the rest of the half.
Brown had eight of his 20 points in the game's final 5:24. His two free-throws cut the Purple Aces lead to seven points, 57-50. After a jumper by Evansville, Brown came back and knocked down a three-pointer to make it 59-53. His last three pointer was as close as the Govs would get at five points, 64-59, with 1:33 to play.
In the opening frame, Austin Peay shot a blazing 60 percent (14-of-23) from the field. Duncan came out hot, hitting his first four shots, including two three-point field goals. Evansville, meanwhile, shot 44 percent (12-of-27) from the field, but went 7-for-9 from the line to stay in it. Junior Wes Channels went into the break with three fouls, while Duncan and Brown each had two.
Along with Brown's 20 points, Reed had 13, Duncan had 12 and junior Ernest Fields had 11. The Govs were outrebounded 38-25, as no Governors player had more than four boards.
Shy Ely led all scorers with 23 points and grabbed a game-high 10 rebounds. Jason Holsinger joined him double-figures with 14 points.
Austin Peay continues its season-opening road trip with a 7 p.m., Monday contest at Belmont. They return to Clarksville for the home opener, 7 p.m., Saturday, against Ohio.
-AP-
