COOKEVILLE—Austin Peay State University men's basketball team's elusive quest for a road victory will take it to Tennessee Tech, 7:30 p.m., Saturday, at the Hooper Eblen Center in an Ohio Valley Conference matchup of two struggling teams.
The Governors, 5-10 on the season and 0-8 on the road, are coming off a disappointing 71-59 loss to Jacksonville State in their OVC opener. It was the fourth time this season APSU scored fewer than 60 points. The offensively challenged Governors, who converted just 23 of 61 (37.7 percent), have now shot less than 40 percent from the floor in eight games this season. After connecting on just 2-of-14 from three-point territory, the Govs are now shooting just 29.4 percent from behind the arc.
APSU also committed 15 turnovers, including nine in the first half, adding to their offensive issues. Center Chris Horton seemingly was the only Gov to avoid the offensive potholes, scoring 19 points and grabbing 13 rebounds for his season's eighth double-double. In addition, Damarius Smith made his first appearance after a half-seasons athletic department suspension. He scored seven points, dished out eight assists and collected three steals, but he also had five of the Govs' nine first-half turnovers.
If the offensive woes were not enough, the Governors got off to a slow start defensively against JSU, allowing the Gamecocks to shoot 55 percent in the first half as APSU trailed by 13 at intermission.
The Govs regain their defensive mojo in the second half, limiting the Gamecocks to just 27.6 percent (8 of 29) shooting. They will need that defensive intensity against a Tennessee Tech club that has one of the league's top inside games.
They are led by the inside duo of 6-10 forward Charles Jackson (13.3 ppg, 9.6 rpg), who has an impressive 11 double-doubles so far in 16 game, and 6-8, 240-pound forward Dwan Caldwell (12.8 ppg 5.1 rpg).
Tennessee Tech was considered one of the OVC surprises in non-conference action, fashioning an 8-5 record, including impressive road wins at UMKC and North Florida to go with victories against Chattanooga and Southeastern Louisiana.
But the Golden Eagles, who lost 83-67 to Murray State, Thursday night, have gotten off to a 0-3 OVC start because they also have struggled offensively.  They are averaging just 62.7 points per game—nearly 10 points less than their overall average—in their three league tilts, shooting just 37.4 percent from the floor. On the other end, Tennessee Tech is permitting opponents to shoot 47.4 overall but 45.3 percent from the perimeter.
-AP-
