CLARKSVILLE, Tenn. – SIU Edwardsville connected on 14-of-21 second-half shots, including four three pointers, as it pulled away from Austin Peay State University for an 83-68 Ohio Valley Conference victory, Saturday night in Dave Aaron Arena.

The loss dropped APSU to 11-15 overall but more importantly to 5-7 in the OVC. SIU Edwardsville continues to solidify its OVC standing in going to 7-6 in the OVC and 10-16 overall.

Trailing 36-31 at halftime, the Governors immediately tied it up with an Ed Dyson three pointer and Chris Horton short jumper. But the lead didn't last long as SIUE pushed it back to six, 44-38, on a Donivine three pointer.

The Governors continued to battle back and when Chris Freeman slammed home a dunk to tie the game at 50 and then Cory Arentsen nailed a three to give APSU a 53-50 lead, SIUE called time out. The Govs had a chance to extend the lead but Chris Horton missed a pair of free throws.

A problem that nearly cost the Govs late against Eastern Illinois proved detrimental in this contest. APSU made just 21 of 33 (63.6 percent) free throws in this contest, but only 11-of-19 (57.9 percent) in the second half. Combined that with 41.2 percent (21 of 51) field-goal shooting (5-of-18 from three-point range), it was a struggling offensive night.

But the Governors could not find any answers on the defensive end, especially in the second half. In fact, after the Govs took that three-point lead, SIUE finished the game connecting on 9-of-13 floor shots, including a trio of three pointers. And the Cougars, who came in shooting 66 percent from the free-throw line, refused to opened the door by making 10-of-12 free-throws down the stretch—20-of-25 for the game.

Rozell Nunn and Donivine Stewart led SIUE with 17 points apiece for a team that shot 57.1 percent overall from the field.

Travis Betran led all scorers with 19 points, but connected on just 4-of-16 (1-of-8 from three-point territory) from the floor. He continued to be APSU's saving grace at the free-throw line by going 10-of-10.

Ed Dyson made it five straight double-figure outings with 14 points. Chris Horton recorded his season's 13th double-double with 10 points and 10 rebounds. Horton, however, had almost half of the Govs 21 rebounds. APSU was dominated on the glass 37-21.

-AP-