CLARKSVILLE, Tenn. --  Austin Peay State University rallied from an eight-point halftime deficit to defeat Youngstown State, 71-68, Saturday night to snap a five-game losing streak in a Sears BracketBusters game played in Dave Aaron Arena.

The victory also ended APSU's three-game losing streak in the BracketBusters Event. It came as a result of tenacious second-half hustle, especially on the boards.

The Governors shot a meager 33.3 percent (22 of 66) from the floor on the night, but they out-rebounded Youngstown State, 51-32, leading to 29 second-chance points. Neither starting center John Fraley (nine points) and or Melvin Baker (seven points) scored in double figures but each had 13 rebounds.

Fraley, in fact, had nine offensive rebounds, just two less than Youngstown State for the night. Remarkably early in the game YSU held a 13-rebound advantage as the Penguins built a 10-point lead. Austin Peay out-rebounded Youngstown 28-10 in the second half.

In fact, that offensive rebounding allowed senior guard TyShwan Edmondson to score 23 points, including 5-of-12 from three-point territory-his most three pointers since knocking down five against Belmont before Christmas.

He had five of APSU's six three pointers while Youngstown State was able to stay close, despite the rebound disadvantage, by nailing 13-of-29 three-point attempts. Sophomore guard Kendrick Perry finished with four three pointers and 20 points. Three other Penguins, DuShawn Brooks, Blake Allen and Ashen Ward, added a trio of three pointers apiece.

Josh Terry was APSU's only other double-figure scorer with 14, including a 10-for-10 effort from the free throw line. Overall, the Govs were 21-of-27 (77.8 percent) from the free-throw line-the same Govs team that went just 8-of-17 against Morehead State, Wednesday night.

With Youngstown State leading 50-42 with 12:52 left after a Ward three pointer, the Govs went on a 18-4 run, largely using second chances to grab the lead.

Edmondson responded to Ward's three pointer with one of his own.  Then Fraley was fouled going to the basket and hit both free throws to make it a 50-47 deficit.  It became a one-point game on a Fraley layup only to have the momentum momentarily stopped when Damian Eargle hit a pair of free throws.

The Govs then cut the lead back to one on a Josh Terry jumper with 10:33 left.  Edmondson missed a three, but Will Triggs wrestled the ball away from Eargle and then called a timeout while lying on the floor.

On the inbounds play, Terry caught the Penguins asleep by lobbing it to Edmondson, who caught it and floated in a short jumper to give APSU its first lead, 53-52, with 10:03 left.

By the hustle didn't stop there. On APSU's ensuing possession, the Govs missed two shots and grabbed two offensive rebounds, the second putting Fraley at the free-throw line. He made one of two.

After another empty offensive trip by Youngstown State, again it was the offensive glass that paid dividends for the Govs. Jerome Clyburn grabbed one offensive rebound and Fraley another. That second offensive grab set up Edmondson for a three-pointer for a 57-52 lead with 7:40 left.

After YSU cut it to the four, Herdie Lawrence nailed a three to give APSU its largest lead, 60-54, with 5:54 left.

The Penguins three-point ability didn't allow that size lead to last long. A Ward three made it a two-point game, 60-58, with 2:34 remaining.

Terry then hit a pair of free throws only to have Perry drive and score to again make it a two-point game with 2:10 remaining.

Again, it was APSU's offensive rebounding that pushed it back to four as Baker put back in a Fraley miss to make the lead, 64-60, with 1:41 left.

After Youngstown State missed a three, Terry was fouled. He again made both and APSU had its largest lead once again, 66-60.

But Allen cut that lead in half with a three and then Lawrence committed a turnover with 23 seconds left that led to a layup for Perry. It was a one-point game as the scenario-blowing late-game leads-was  becoming all too familiar for the Govs.

On the ensuing inbounds pass, Clyburn was fouled with 14 seconds left. He made one of two to give APSU a 67-65 lead.

Youngstown State now had a chance to tie or take the lead. Allen sifted his way through the Govs defense but as he passed midcourt, Clyburn reached around Allen and tipped the dribble away from the Penguins guard. It landed in TyShwan Edmondson's hands with eight seconds left. He immediately was fouled.

Edmondson made both to give APSU a 69-65 lead. YSU used just three seconds to make it a one-point game as Perry nailed a long three.

Terry was fouled with 2.2 seconds left and he made both free throws to give APSU its final margin.

The Penguins desperation three was off the mark and APSU had its fifth straight wins against Youngstown State.

-AP-