GREELEY, Colo.—Still seeking that elusive first victory, Austin Peay State University men's basketball team now heads back on the road when it faces Cal Poly, 3:30 p.m. CT, Saturday, in the regional portion of the Maui Jim Maui Invitational at Bank of Colorado Arena on the campus of Northern Colorado.

The 0-3 Governors are amidst a busy first two weeks of the 2015-16 season. By Sunday's end—and two games—the Govs will have played an NBA-like five games in nine days. The Govs are coming off an 80-77 home loss to IPFW, Wednesday, that saw them rally from a 10-point halftime deficit to tie the contest but never regain the lead. It was one of those frustrating games that saw APSU win many crucial statistical battles, including field-goal percentage (49 percent to 41 percent), shooting/making more free throws and winning the rebound battle.

But the Govs' guards' inability to keep IPFW out of the lane proved vital. In the first half, the Mastodons made 8-of-16 three pointers, taking advantage of Governors defenders attempting to sag off against the penetration. That intended help only left open a bevy of shooters from three-point territory. In the final half, those guards, in particular John Konchar and Max Landis, took the attack all the way to the basket.

As a result, the Govs guards will need to do a better job of keeping the opponents from the lane.

Offensively, Josh Robinson is coming off a career-high scoring-wise with 25 points while Khalil Davis almost matched him with 23 points. Chris Horton finished with 16 points and nine rebounds along with a career-high seven turnovers as IPFW defenders collapsed on him when he attempted to put the ball on the floor. Horton also spent much of the night burdened by foul woes.

Cal Pol enters the contest 1-2, defeating CSU Monterey Bay, 71-62, Wednesday night. Previously they lost 74-72 at UNLV and 88-83 at UCLA in their two opening-round games of the Maui Invitational. APSU played Vanderbilt and Indiana in its first two Maui Invite contests.  

Mustangs frontcourt stalwart David Nwaba plays bigger than his 6-4 size. He is averaging 14 points and a team-leading 6.0 rebounds per game. Forward Joel Awich also is at 14.0 points per game and 5.0 rebounds per outing.

The Mustangs are shooting just 43 percent from the floor, including 34 percent from three. However, they will have to keep an eye on perimeter threats Morgan Reese (9-of-12 three-pointers) and Taylor Sutlive (6-of-12 three pointers).

The winner of this game will play the winner of the Northern Colorado-UMBC game 6 p.m. CT, Sunday, with the loser going at 2:30 p.m.  

-AP-