Box Score CLARKSVILLE, Tenn. - Austin Peay State University completed a three-game home weekend sweep, Monday night, when it defeated Tennessee State, 69-63, in a turnover-plagued Ohio Valley Conference contest played in Dave Aaron Arena.
The Governors improved to 3-3 in the OVC and 6-13 overall after previously beating Eastern Kentucky, Thursday, and Jacksonville State, Saturday. Meanwhile, Tennessee State remains winless on the OVC road, slipping to 3-4 in league play and 10-10 overall.
In a game that saw 14 lead changes and the scored tied nine times, turnovers was the statistic that jumped out for both teams. Austin Peay, which had committed just 47 turnovers in the previous four games, were charged with 20 Monday night-10 in each half. Tennessee State, meanwhile, committed 21 in the sloppily-played contest.
After Tennessee State took the lead 59-57 on two Robert Covington free throws-his 29th and 30th points-Austin Peay proceeded to go on a 12-4 run to close the game.
With 2:54 left in the contest Melvin Baker knocked home a jump shot to tie it and after a TSU miss, the Governors converted it to a bucket when John Fraley's short stab hook was swatted away above the rim by the Tigers' M.J. Rhett, with the goaltending call giving the Governors the lead, 61-59, with 2:03 left.
A TSU turnover gave the ball back to the Governors with Fraley being fouled with 1:22 left in the game. He connected on both free throws to give APSU a four-point advantage.
After a Tennessee State miss, the Tigers grabbed the offensive rebound, but turned it over once again, with Josh Terry being fouled on the ensuing inbounds play. Terry made one of two free throws to give the Governors a 64-59 advantage.
Covington, who made 10 of 17 from the floor on the night, missed this time on a three pointer with 36 seconds left and TyShwan Edmondson was fouled. Edmondson made one of two free throws to make it a two possession game, 65-59, with 32 seconds remaining. After the second miss, TSU again turned it over and Edmondson was fouled. He made both this time to make it a 67-59 game-a three-possession game with 25 seconds left.
Covington led all scorers with 30 points and a game-high 15 rebounds. But Patrick Miller was the only other Tiger to reach double figures with 17 points.
Austin Peay placed four played in double figures, led by Fraley's 16 points while Baker added 15 and Terry 12. Edmondson broke a four-game single-digit streak with 10 points to go with four assists.
The Govs shot 50 percent (24 of 48) from the floor while TSU connected on just 42.1 percent (24 of 57). However, the Tigers out-rebounded the Govs, 38-29, including 15 offensive rebounds that led to 12 second-chance points and kept the visitors in it until late in the contest.
-AP-
