CLARKSVILLE, Tenn. ? Ohio shot 58.3 percent from the floor in the second half and erased a three-point halftime deficit to defeat Austin Peay State University, 79-68, in non-conference basketball action, Saturday night, in Dave Aaron Arena.

Austin Peay, a member of the Ohio Valley Conference, falls to 1-2 on the season. Ohio, a member of the Mid-American Conference, now is 2-0.

Trailing 28-25 at halftime while shooting just 8 of 24 from the floor, Ohio lit of the up Govs defense by making 14 of 24 from the floor in the second half, including 8 of 16 from three-point range.

More importantly, the Governors could not keep Ohio guards from getting into the lane, allowing inside player Jerome Tillman to bull his way to the basket or kick-out passes that set up open three-point shots or fouls. Tillman finished with 19 points and game-hgh 14 rebounds while forward Steve Coleman had a game-high 21 points and 10 rebounds. Ohio also knocked down 27 of 35 free throws.

The Governors, meanwhile, could not maintain momentum. They had as much as a seven-point first-half lead at 26-19 and got up by four, 41-37, on a Drake Reed three-point play at the 14:38 mark of the second half. But the Bobcats quickly erased that deficit and took the lead for good, 46-44, on a Tommy Freeman three pointer. APSU would never get closer than two points the rest of the way and each time they would challenge Ohio, the Bobcats responded with a basket, finally pulling away in the final 3:33.

Drake Reed recorded his career's 11th double-double with 20 points and 12 rebounds. He also had a team-high five assists. Wes Channels added 17 points and Kyle Duncan 13.

The Govs shot 46.9 percent (15 of 32) in the second half but only 3 of 15 from three-point range. In fact, APSU shot only 6 of 25 overall from three-point range.  

The Govs return home to face Lambuth in the second part of a Lady Govs/Govs doubleheader, at 7:30 p.m., Tuesday. 

-AP-