CLARKSVILLE, Tenn. - Austin Peay State University men's basketball team could not overcome its slow start in an 81-68 exhibition loss to Central Missouri, Saturday. It marked the Govs' final exhibition game prior to the season-opener at Tennessee, next Friday.

The Mules jumped out to an 11-point lead, 24-13, at the 10:34 mark after a Ryan Harris three-pointer capped an 11-0 run that spanned three minutes. That lead grew as large as 20 points when the Govs trailed 44-24 at the half. Central Missouri, a preseason Top 5 Division II program that advanced to the national semifinals last spring, shot 54.5 percent (18-of-33) in the first half, along with a 7-of-12 effort from three.  

Austin Peay, meanwhile, was a shivering 9 of 26 from the field in the first half, including an anemic 0 for 6 from three. That poor shooting performance improved slightly in the second half, but never matched the sights-on effort from the Mules.

In the second half, Central Missouri was just as good. In fact, the Govs never cut the lead inside double-digits. Austin Peay got within 12 points after a Caleb Brown free throw with 4:53 remaining, but it was too little, too late.

Four Govs finished in double-figures, led by sophomore John Fraley's 20 points and seven rebounds. Senior Wes Channels and sophomore Anthony Campbell each added 14 points, while sophomore Marcel Williams finished with 12. The Govs shot 42.1 percent (24 of 57) from the field, including 11.8 percent (2 of 17).

Harris led the Mules with 19 points on 7 of 13 shooting, while Tremaine Luellen added 17 points and eight rebounds.

-AP-