CLARKSVILLE, Tenn. – With the turkey and dressing digested, Austin Peay State University men's basketball team will put its modest two-game winning streak on the line when its plays host to scorching-hot Samford, 7 p.m., Saturday in Dave Aaron Arena.
The 2-4 Governors opened the week, Sunday, with its season's first victory, a 91-76 road decision against Northern Colorado, before coming home Wednesday to down Oakland City, 83-55. Senior center Chris Horton has racked up four double-doubles in the first six games, including a 17-point, 19-rebound effort against Oakland City. Horton, who is averaging 15.3 points and 12.7 rebounds per game in the early going, has received ample support offensively from sophomore guard Josh Robinson (15.3 ppg) and Khalil Davis (14 ppg).
Since opening the season with an 86-45 loss at Louisville, Samford has reeled off a five straight victories, including a trio in earning the championship at the Mean Green Showcase—beating future APSU foe Troy, 83-79, host North Texas, 74-72, before drubbing Idaho, 75-58, for the title.
Guards Darius Jones-Gibson (18.0 ppg) and Christen Cunningham (15.5 ppg) provide a superb backcourt. Cunningham, in fact, had 26 points in the North Texas championship game while Gibson added 21—Jones-Gibson, a preseason All-Southern Conference selection, averaged 20 points per game during the Showcase. However, it was freshman center Wyatt Walker who really emerged during the tourney, averaging a double-double (10.7 points, 10.3 rebounds per game). He had 10 points and eight rebounds in the tourney title game.
The Bulldogs' 5-1 start is the program's best since a opening the 1996-97 season at 7-1. Samford has not won six straight games since a seven-game win streak in the 2006 season.
-AP-
