AKRON, Ohio-Austin Peay State University overcame a 15-point deficit over the final 7:36 to stun Akron, 80-77, Sunday afternoon in first-round basketball Glenn Wilkes Classic action, played at Rhodes Arena.

The victory evens Austin Peay's record at 1-1 while Akron, playing its season opener, falls to 0-1. The rest of the Glenn Wilkes Classic now shifts to Daytona, Fla., Friday, Saturday and Sunday.

It was Austin Peay's first road win against a team that is defending Mid-American Conference champion and prohibitive favorite to win the MAC in 2009-10. In fact, CollegeInsider.com listed Akron as No. 6 in the preseason Mid-Major poll.

Trailing 72-57, Austin Peay used an 18-3 run to close the game. At the 7:36 mark, the Govs began the charge using the next four minutes to outscore Akron 15-2 to make it a two-point contest, 74-72, with 3:39 left. The Govs crawled back first using a Tyrone Caldwell three pointer before Duran Roberson added a jump shot. After two Akron free throws, Wesley Channels hit a driving layup.

On Akron's next possession, Anthony Campbell stole a pass near mid-court and raced in for the dunk to make it 74-66. After an Akron turnover, Channels then nailed a three pointer from the right baseline to cut it to five, 74-69, at the 4:25 mark.

After APSU's defense again held Akron scoreless on its next possession, junior forward Duran Roberson knocked down a three pointer from the top of the circle to cut it to two at the 3:39 mark. The two teams literally traded multiple empty possessions over the next two minutes before Marcel Williams, on a pass from a driving Channels, scored his only field goal on a layup to tie it with 1:28 left.

APSU then fouled Darryl Roberts, a 92 percent free-throw shooter in 2008-09, who proceeded to miss both ends of a two-shot attempt. Akron, however, gained the rebound, but Brett McKnight couldn't get his attempt to fall and Campbell rebounded. He was fouled on the play and was sent to the free-throw line on other end. The sophomore proceeded to knock down both to give APSU the lead, 76-74, with 38 seconds left-APSu's first lead since the 11:14 mark of the first half.

Again, Akron's attempt to tie came up short and Campbell again rebounded. This time Caldwell was fouled and he sank both free throws to give APSU a four-point advantage with 16 seconds left.

A missed Akron three pointer was rebounded by Roberson, who sank one of two free throws to give APSU a five-point lead with eight seconds left. Akron's Anthony Hitchens then hit a three pointer with three seconds left to make it a two-point game before Campbell was fouled on the inbounds pass. He hit one of two free throws and Akron was unable to get off a potential game-tying shot before the buzzer sounded.

Channels led the Governors with 17 points and six assists while Campbell and Caldwell added 14 apiece, with 13 of Campbell's coming in the second half. The sophomore forward, who had 17 points in the loss at Tennessee, didn't take a shot in the first half.

Roberson, meanwhile, scored a career -high 12 points, all in the second half.

APSU shot an improved 50 percent (27 of 54) on the game, including 5-of-13 threes, and connected on 21 of 32 free throws.

The Govs held Akron to just 10-of-33 second-half shooting in the second half after hitting 17 of 33 in the opening half. APSU was outrebounded 40-37 but that deficit was reduced significantly over the final seven minutes.

The Govs will return to action, 7:15 p.m., Friday, against IUPUI in Daytona.

-AP-