CLARKSVILLE, Tenn. – For the final time in the regular season as Ohio Valley Conference members, the Austin Peay men's basketball team travels to Calloway County, Kentucky for a rivalry match-up with No. 21 Murray State Thursday, Feb. 17 on ESPNU.
Thursday, Feb. 17 • 6:00 p.m. • Murray, Ky. • CFSB Center
Austin Peay Governors (10-14, 6-8 OVC) at No. 21 Murray State (24-2, 14-0 OVC)
Series Record vs. Murray State: Austin Peay trails 45-93
Last Meeting: Feb. 3, 2022 • Clarksville, Tenn. • Austin Peay 53, Murray State 65
BROADCAST INFORMATION
Radio: Govs Sports Network (Brian Rives – PBP, Ethan Schmidt – Color)
Stations: 104.1 FM / 540 AM
WATCH LIVE: ESPNU (Robert Ford – PBP, Richie Schueler – Color)
SCOUTING THE GOVS
Austin Peay enters Thursday's contest on a three-game winning streak and an overall record of 10-14 and 6-8 in conference play. The Govs are coming off a 62-54 home win against Eastern Illinois Monday and seek their first four-game win streak since 2019-20 season. Austin Peay has four players with over 200 points this season and is led by freshman Elijah Hutchins-Everett at 12.9 points per game.
RANKED RIVAL
For the fifth time in program history, Austin Peay will challenge a nationally ranked Murray State squad. It's the first time since APSU played at No.9 Murray State on Feb. 11, 2012.
GOVS AGAINST THE NATION'S BEST
Austin Peay is 4-57 all-time against opponents ranked in the Associated Press Top 25 poll. The Govs seek their first win over a ranked opponent since defeating No. 11 Illinois, 68-67 on March 12, 1987. It will be the first game against a ranked opponent since Nov. 9, 2018 versus No. 18 Mississippi State.
BIG MAN CAN DO IT ALL
Freshman Elijah Hutchins-Everett leads the Govs in scoring at 12.9 points per game and rebounding at 6.7 rebounds per game. Hutchins-Everett ranks fifth in the OVC in double-doubles and has the second most amongst freshman in the conference.
HE DOESN'T MISS
Hutchins-Everett ranks seventh in the OVC with a .528 field goal percentage. The Orange, N.J., native has shot over 50 percent from the field in eight of the last nine games.
PAEZ ON A HOT STREAK
Junior Carlos Paez over the past three games is averaging 8.6 points and 3.0 assists for the Govs. During the three-game stretch, Paez is shooting 60 percent from behind the three-point line.
GOVS AND RACERS IN THE NATIONAL SPOTLIGHT
Thursday's contest will be broadcasted on ESPNU, marking the fifth-consecutive year at least one of the Austin Peay-Murray State battles has been picked up by a national network. The Govs have won two of its last three contests while playing on ESPNU.
EVANSVILLE IN SIGHT
With four games remaining in the regular season, Austin Peay looks to make a push up the standings before play begins in the OVC Tournament, March 2-5. If the tournament started today, the Govs would be the No.5 seed. Tickets for the 2022 OVC Basketball Championships presented by TicketSmarter are on sale now and can be purchased
UP NEXT
Austin Peay returns home Saturday, Feb. 19 for its home finale against Tennessee Tech with tipoff set for 4 p.m. The Govs then conclude the regular season with two road contests at SIU Edwardsville (Feb. 24) and Eastern Illinois (Feb. 26).
GET YOUR TICKETS!
Purchase single-game tickets or the all-new Family Four Pack presented by The City Forum. Receive four tickets to both a men's and women's basketball game along with four attraction passes at The City Forum. Packages start at just $22 and can be purchased by visiting letsgopeay.com/buytickets using the Promo Code: FAM4 or contacting the Govs Ticket Office at 931-221-PEAY (7329).
FOLLOW THE GOVS
For all the latest information on Austin Peay Athletics, please visit letsgopeay.com. For up-to-the-minute updates, follow the Govs on Twitter, Instagram, and Facebook.
