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Austin Peay State University Athletics

Men's Basketball

Govs exact revenge on Bulldogs from season's earlier loss; earn host spot for OVC tourney

CLARKSVILLE, Tenn. ? Austin Peay State University jumped out to a 13-0 lead and was never headed as it defeated Samford, 67-49, in Ohio Valley Conference basketball action, Saturday night, in Dave Aaron Arena.

The victory improves the Govs to 17-9 overall and 13-3 in the OVC. The victory clinches an OVC tourney first-round host spot for the first-place Govs. It also was APSU's 300th win in the Winfield Dunn Center, which opened Dec. 1, 1975.

Samford, meanwhile, falls to 11-13 overall, 8-8 in the OVC.

The Governors, who lost to Samford, 63-49, just two weeks earlier, got off to a quick start this time. Derek Wright hit a three pointer just 33 seconds into the game and before the game was 3 ½ minutes old it was a 13-0 advantage.

With 16:22 left in the half, Trey Montomgery finally scored for Samford, knocking down a three pointer. Samford would narrow the margin to seven, 18-11, but the Govs would go on a 9-0 run for a 27-11 lead. The Bulldogs would not get closer than 10 points the half's remainder with the Govs holding a 37-23 halftime lead.

Wright hit a three pointer to open the second half and Samford could not get closer than 12 the rest of the way. APSU lead by as many as 21, 53-32, with 10:40 left and cruised to the final margin.

Austin Peay collected 15 steals while forcing 23 Samford turnovers. Meanwhile, the Governors committed only seven turnovers. The Govs' defensive play offset a sluggish offensive performance that saw APSU shoot only 39.7 percent (23 of 58) from the floor compared to 44.4 percent (16 of 36) by Samford.

Drake Reed led the Govs with 14 points while Wright added 11. Fernandez Lockett led all rebounders with nine.

Joe Ross Merritt led Samford with 13 points and eight rebounds. No other Bulldog scored in double figures.

-AP-

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