NASHVILLE, Tenn. - Austin Peay State University lost its third straight game by falling to future Ohio Valley Conference foe, Belmont, 94-55, in non-league played at the Curb Event Center.

The loss drops Austin Peay to 9-17 overall while Belmont improves to 18-7.

The Bruins took charge from the outset. After Josh Terry the Govs 4-3 with a pair of free throws, Belmont went on a 17-0 run. Austin Peay would never recover.

Austin Peay committed 11 first-half turnovers resulting in 15 Bruins points. Belmont, on the other hand, committed just one first-half turnover. Belmont clicked on 17 of 33 (51.5 percent) first-half shots, including six three pointers while Austin Peay was just 11 of 26 (42.3 percent), but just one first-half three pointer.

As a result, Belmont took a 46-25 lead into intermission. It didn't get any better for the Govs in the second half. The Bruins outscored the Govs 18-8 to open the final half to put the game out of reach.

Josh Terry scored 13 points to lead the Govs while John Fraley added 10. APSU's starting backcourt of TyShwan Edmondson and Jerome Clyburn combined for just two points.

Belmont was paced by Scott Saunders, who had 18 points on six-of-seven shooting while Drew Hanlen and Mick Hedgepeth added 13.

Belmont was credited with 26 assists in scoring 35 baskets while committing just nine turnovers.

The Bruins finished with 10 three pointers, compared to two by Austin Peay, both by sophomore walk-on Alton Williams, who finished with eight points.

-AP-