CLARKSVILLE, Tenn.--Austin Peay State University's poor shooting continued with a 72-62 loss to Belmont, Monday, at the Dunn Center. The Govs fall to 5-6 and have now lost four consecutive games for the first time since 2004-05.

Belmont, meanwhile, improves to 5-4 and splits the home-and-home series with the Govs The Bruins also snapped a four-game losing streak in the series.

The Govs didn't respond to being home for the first time in nearly a month. After shooting only 37.5 percent from the floor in a Friday loss against Stephen F. Austin in Fayetteville, Ark.,  the Govs shot a season-worst 30 percent (21 of 69) from the field against Belmont. Austin Peay also shot just 66 percent from the free-throw line. Belmont, meanwhile, hit only 21 of 62 from the field (34 percent), converting 18 Governors turnovers into 16 points.

Both team struggled in the first half, APSU shooting just over 33 percent and Belmont 28 percent as the team two teams went in tied 32 all. Despite all their second-half offensive woes, the Govs erased a 12-point second-half deficit to tie the game at 53 on a Kyle Duncan layup. But Belmont took the lead for good on the ensuing possession after Andy Wicke broke free for a wide open layup off an inbounds pass underneath their own basket. That was the start of a 9-0 run and the Governors would never get closer than five points the game's remainder. 

Turnovers were key to the Govs' misfortune. During the that run APSU turned it over four times and had 10 in the second half.

Neither team shot well as Belmont. In addition to their overall poor shooting night, the Bruins, one of the nation's top three-point shooting teams in the country, made just 5 of 33 (15.2 percent)from three-point land but the Govs were little better, making only 4 of 22 (18.2 percent). With both team missing so many shots the rebound totals large as APSU outrebounded Belmont 56-47.

The game's difference was at the free-throw line. Belmont made 25 of 40 (62.5 percent) while homstanding APSU connected on 16 of 24 (66.7 percent). In fact, Belmont's Alex Renfroe attempted 18 free throws, tying a Dunn Center opponent record, originally set by Mississippi State's Eric Stevens in 1992. Renfroe finished with a game-high 17 point, leading four Bruins in double figures.

Drake Reed led the Govs with a double-double, 15 points and 14 rebounds. Ernest Fields finished with 16 points and six rebounds before fouling out, while Wes Channels added 10 points.

-AP-