CLARKSVILLE, Tenn.?Morehead State, with 58.3 percent second-half shooting, rallied from an eight-point halftime deficit to defeat Austin Peay State University, 84-74, Saturday, in Ohio Valley Conference men's basketball action played in Dave Aaron Arena.

The victory improves Morehead State to 3-0 in the OVC and 6-8 overall while Austin Peay falls to 2-1 in the OVC and 6-7 overall. It was APSU's fifth loss in the last five games and the Govs third home defeat this season. 

Trailing 39-31 at halftime, Morehead State needed less than six minutes at second half's start to tie the game at 46-46.  Austin Peay would never lead by more than two points the game's remainder. In fact, the Governors led for the final time at 53-52 with 12:15 left. Morehead State then tied it on a Kenneth Faried free throw and took the lead for good on a Leon Buchanan jumper.

The Govs not only went cold from the field but from the free-throw line as well, falling behind by as much as 11 points, 72-61, with 4:24 left as APSU had no answer for Eagles postman Kenneth Faried, who scored 20 of his 24 points in the final half.  The Govs would cut it to six, 72-66, with 4:02 left but could get no closer as the Govs free throw woes continued while Morehead State made 9 of 10 free throws down the stretch and 24 of 27 in the final half (30 of 34 for the game).  APSU finished just 14 of 26 at the free-throw line for the game and missed four straight at point in the second half when the deficit swelled to double digits.  

In addition to his 24 points, Faried, the OVC's leading rebounder, ended with 17 rebounds. Maze Stallworth ended with 23 points.

Wes Channels scored a career-high 30 points for the Govs while freshman Anthony Campbell came off the bench to add 16. Leading scorer Drake Reed, who was averaging 20.1 ppg coming in, finished with seven points, including a 3-for-10 night at the line.

APSU was dominated on the boards 39-23, including a 20-9 Morehead State second-half advantage. The Eagles had as many offensive rebounds (14) as the Govs did defensive. In fact, no Governors player had more than four rebounds.

The Governors will return to action, 7:30 p.m., Monday, when they play host to Eastern Kentucky in another OVC tilt. 

-AP-