FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. - Austin Peay will end its six-game road trip and at the same time attempt to snap a two-game losing streak when its faces Stephen F. Austin in the Governors' second game of the Jim Thorpe Classic.
Tipoff is scheduled for 7:05 p.m. at Bud Walton Arena on the University of Arkansas campus.
The Governors are coming off an 89-80 loss to Arkansas, Wednesday night, and things don't get any easier. They will be facing a 6-2 Lumberjacks team that is coming off a tourney title win at Drake, defeating the hosts 66-64 in the Hy-Vee Classic championship contest.
A year ago, Stephen F. Austin posted a 26-6 record, including an upset road win of Oklahoma. The Lumberjacks return four starters from that team. They are led by 6-4 senior forward Josh Alexander, who is averaging 17.8 ppg this season, and 6-9 center Matt Kingsley, who is averaging 16.1 ppg.
But defense is the Lumberjacks trademark. They are allowing only 58.9 ppg on just 37.9 percent shooting. In fact, the Lumberjacks' 26.0 percent defensive three-point field goal percentage is ranked 10th best in the country.
The Govs will need another stalwart effort from Drake Reed, who had 24 points on 10-of-15 shooting and Wes Channels, who had 17 points. The Governors are attempting to avoid their first three-game losing streak since starting 2006-07 with a 0-3 record.
-AP-
