CLARKSVILLE, Tenn. – Before turning its attention to a four-game, 12-day road trip, Austin Peay State University's basketball team hosts Fisk in a 7 p.m., Tuesday game on Gary Mathews Court at F&M Bank Arena.

The Governors (1-1) are coming off a 67-45 loss at George Mason, Friday, which saw the reigning Atlantic Sun Conference Newcomer of the Week, DeMarcus Sharp post a game-high 23-points, 13 rebounds, and four steals in the effort. Sharp scored 19 points in the second half alone against the Patriots and, paired with his career-best effort on the boards, picked up his second-straight double-double, making him just one of 21 players in Division I to accomplish the mark through the first week of the regular season.

Sharp is joined by backcourt teammate Ja'Monta Black, who lit up the scoreboard the last time he toed his home court by tying the program-record with nine three-pointers. Black's 11 triples through the first two games of the season are first in the nation, as the top-returning three-point scorer knocked down a pair of shots from distance against George Mason. 

Tuesday's game is the second of seven first-time meetings for the Govs throughout nonconference play.

Fisk and fifth-year head coach and NBA veteran Kenny Anderson enters the game 1-2 after defeating Wilberforce, Saturday. The Bulldogs are led by senior guard Jayden Lockett who averages 19.7 points and 7.3 rebounds per game through FU's first three games of the 2023-24 season.

Up Next

A four-game 12-day road trip is next on deck for the Governors. The extended trip tips off with an 8 p.m. (CT) matchup against UTEP in the regional round of the 2023 SoCal Challenge, before the Govs then travel to San Juan Capistrano, California for a game against Tarleton State.

Broadcast Information

Radio: ESPN Clarksville 104.1 FM – Brian Rives (PxP) / Jeff Matthews (Color)
All Austin Peay women's basketball games are aired on WAPX 91.9 FM. Pregame begins 15 minutes before tip and can be heard online at LetsGoPeay.com.

TV: ESPN+ -- Barry Gresham (PxP) / Ethan Schmidt (Color)
All APSU home games and ASUN Conference matchups will be broadcasted live on ESPN+. The link to the broadcast can be found at the top of this article.

From The Jump

• Austin Peay enters Tuesday's game 1-1 after defeating Life in the season opener, before falling in its first road game of the season to George Mason. 
• Corey Gipson is in his first season as head coach of his Alma Mater. Gipson returned to Clarksville after spending last season at Northwestern State where he led the Demons to a 22-11 record during his lone season in Natchitoches, Louisiana. The 13-game turnaround from NSU's prior season is the largest in that program's history.
• The Governors made their first game on Gary Mathews Court at F&M Bank Arena one to remember, as, during their 90-72 win against Life, the Govs made a program-record 17 triples. It also was the first win of the Gipson Era, making him just the second coach since 1984 (Lake Kelly) to win their debut.
• In addition to bringing eight coaching and support staff members with him from Northwestern State, Gipson also brought six student-athletes in DeMarcus Sharp, Ja'Monta Black, Isaac Haney, Jordan Wilmore, Harrison Black, and Hansel Enmanuel
• Austin Peay's 2023-24 roster is comprised of 12 newcomers, 11 of which have college experience. The 11 veteran newcomers entered their first season for the red and white with ,300-career points, 2,231 rebounds, 1,291 assists, 470 starts, and 640 games played.
• In addition to the team breaking the 3-point record with 17, Ja'Monta Black entered his name in the record book by tying the record with nine triples against Life. His mark, which came on just 21 attempts, matched Joe Sibbitt's record which Sibbitt had solely held since 1998.
• It didn't take long for DeMarcus Sharp to make his mark in the record book, as he became the first player in program history to be named to the Preseason All-ASUN Team. Sharp averaged 19.5 points, 5.0 rebounds, and 5.0 assists per game. "Agent Zero" finished his senior season ranked in the top 100 nationally in nine statistical categories, including field goals attempted (11th), field goals made (15th), and points per game (32nd). He also scored at least 10 points in 29 of his 33 appearances, 20 points 16 times, 30 points six times, and 40 points once.
• The reigning ASUN Newcomer of the Week, DeMarcus Sharp leads Austin Peay with nine assists this season, including seven in last week's win against Life. 89 percent (8-of-9)of his assists have resulted in three-pointers. In adding his points scored (33) and points that he has assisted on (26), Sharp has accounted for 59 points through his first two games for the Red and White. 

Scouting the Bulldogs

2023-24 Record: 1-2 (0-0 GCAC)

2022-23 Record: 8-16 (6-8 GCAC)

2022-23 Season Result: After advancing past the first round of the Gulf Coast Athletic Conference Tournament with a 75-70 win against Dillard, the Bulldogs had their 2022-23 come to an end following a 79-72 to Philander Smith. 

Their Season So Far: The Bulldogs dropped their first two games of the season at Faulkner (89-84) and Tennessee State (76-61) before claiming their season's first win against Wilberforce, Nov. 11.

Returning/Lost: 6/13

Notable Returner: Junior forward Blake Goodman returns for his second season at Fisk. He currently is averaging 15.0 points and 3.3 rebounds per game while shooting 53.1 percent from the field.

Notable Newcomer: Senior transfer Jayden Lockett from Columbia State (TN) leads Fisk with 19.7 points per game this season

Series History: First meeting

Tickets, Tickets, Get Your Tickets Here!

Single-game and single-season tickets are now available for the 2023-24 men's basketball season. Single-game tickets may be purchased at the top-right of this preview. For information on single-season tickets, contact the APSU ticket office at 931-221-PEAY (7329) or email Justyn Carlson at jcarlson@ssellc.com.

Follow The Govs On Social

For news and updates throughout the 2023-24 season, follow the men's basketball team on X and Instagram (@GovsMBB), on Facebook (Austin Peay Men's Basketball), or check back at LetsGoPeay.com.