NASHVILLE—Despite freshman Terry Taylor's double-double, Austin Peay State University's search for a second straight road win came up short in the second half as the Governors fell to Tennessee State, 70-56, Thursday night, at the Gentry Center.
After the two teams played to 28-28 draw at halftime, the Governors first-half offensive struggles continued into the final 20 minutes as they converted just 10 field goals. Senior point guard Tre' Ivory gave Austin Peay the lead, 37-35, with 14:38 left but that would prove to be their last advantage as the Tigers, beginning a four-game homestand, reeled off the next eight points. The Govs would play catch up the rest of the night.
Trailing 52-41 with 8:23 remaining, APSU scored the next five points on a Taylor three-pointer and Dayton Gumm layup. But TSU star guard Delano Spencer, who didn't play in the first half, knocked down a three pointer to interrupt the comeback. The Governors would get no closer than seven points the game's remainder.
Taylor finished with 16 points and 13 rebounds, tying for his second most this season. But Dayton Gumm (11 points) was the only other Gov to reach double figure while balanced TSU placed four players in double figures, led by Kamar Knight's 13 points.
The loss dropped Austin Peay to 10-8 overall, 5-2 in the OVC. Tennessee State improved to 8-10, 3-4 in the OVC.
The Governors will look to split its current four-game road trip, 5 p.m., Saturday, when it returns to Nashville to play Belmont at the Curb Center.
The Difference
Field-goal percentage (50 percent to 31 percent) would be the easiest statistic to point to in the loss. However, it was the two team's three-point shooting that was biggest difference. The Govs tied a team-high with 26 three-point attempts, but made just five. Tennessee State, meanwhile, connected on 11 of 22 (50 percent). The 11 threes tied for the most permitted by the Govs this season. The 11-6 three point differential (33-18) covered the final score margin.Â
Notably
- The Governors started the lineup of Tre' Ivory, Dayton Gumm, Chris Porter-Bunton, Terry Taylor and Averyl Ugba for the 14th straight game.
- Austin Peay out-rebounded TSU, 37-30, making it the ninth straight game the Govs have won the rebound battle, including all seven OVC games.
- APSU held an edge in points in the paint (26-18), points off turnovers (17-12), second-chance points (12-5) and fast-break points (4-2), but were at a huge deficit (7-22) in bench points.
- The Governors were tied at halftime, despite being outshot 52.9 percent (9-17) to 32 percent (9-28) from the floor. They took advantage of 11 TSU turnovers and a 6-0 edge in second-chance points.
- Terry Taylor, with his 16 points and 13 rebounds, now has eight double-doubles this season, including five during OVC play.
- Taylor now has scored double figures in 11 straight games.
- The 56 points was the Govs fewest during OVC play and the fewest since dropping a 72-55 decision against Western Kentucky, Dec. 22.
- The Govs' 19 field goals tied for the second fewest this season. They also had just 19 against Western Kentucky.Â
- With this final-minute field goal, freshman guard Dayton Gumm reached double figures for the first time in five games. It was eighth double-figure scoring game this season.
- The Govs' 19 offensive rebounds tied for the third most this season. They had 22 against SEMO and 21 versus Oakland City.
- The five offensive rebounds the Govs allowed were the fewest in OVC games and tied for the third lowest this season.
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Up Next for the Govs
Austin Peay stays in the midstate area with a trip to Belmont, 5 p.m., Saturday, at Curb Event Center. The game will be broadcast on MyTV 30 in the middle Tennessee area.
