SAN JUAN CAPISTRANO, Calif. – After trailing by nine at the half, Austin Peay State University's DeMarcus Sharp and Sai Witt combined to outscore Sacramento State on their own throughout the final 20 minutes as the Governors claimed a 74-71 win in their 2023 SoCal Challenge finale against Sacramento State, Wednesday, at the Pavilion at JSerra.

Sharp's season-high 33-point performance was highlighted by 19 points in the final 20 minutes alone. The Charleston, Missouri native's scoring output is the most by a Governor since APSU alum and current Chicago Bull Terry Taylor had 38 points against Eastern Illinois, Jan. 2021.

Witt, who made his first start for the red and white against Sacramento State, also enjoyed his season's best performance, as he became the second Gov to record a double-double this season, joining Sharp's three thus far. Witt's 21 points are a new season-high for the Lincoln University of Missouri transfer, while his 20-10 double-double is the second by a Gov through the first six games of the season.

Sacramento State (1-5) made their first three shots of the game and maintained the lead through the first two-and-a-half minutes but, but a balanced attack out of the gate which featured scores by Sharp, Witt and Dez White saw the Govs take a 12-11 lead at the first media timeout with 14:32 remaining in the opening half. 

After the timeout, the Hornets went on a 5-0 run spanning just 30 seconds following a jumper in the paint, which was then followed by a free throw, offensive rebound on the second's miss and a three-pointer by CSUS' Brandon Betson.

Sacramento State extended its lead to seven over the next four minutes off a trio of turnovers, but a dunk by Witt followed by back-to-back three-pointers by Ja'Monta Black cut the Govs' deficit to 25-24 with 6:51 remaining. Despite the surge, the Hornets went on a 12-3 run to take a double-digit lead, and continued the momentum, taking a 44-35 lead at the break.

Entering Wednesday's game, the Govs had faced two double-digit halftime deficits with those coming in losses at George Mason and UTEP; however, this story would go on to have a different ending following the next 20 minutes.

Sharp led all scorers with 14 points on 6-of-7 shooting from the field in the first half, while Witt was second on the team and third in the game with his nine points and game-high three offensive and five total rebounds.

Witt and Daniel Loos scored APSU's first 11 points of the second half, as the Govs erased a Hornets lead in the first 3:38 of the first half to tie the game at 47. While their lead was erased momentarily, the Hornets went on to regain and extend the lead to 56-52 with 12:08 remaining in regulation. 

A perfect trip to the line and a driving layup by Dezi Jones again brought the contest to a stalemate until the Govs took their first lead in nearly 25 minutes of action following another pair of charity-stripe points by Sharp.

From there it was nearly all Govs.

Sharp went on to score nine-straight points for APSU over the next five minutes as the Govs took a 67-64 lead into the final media timeout after an unblemished trip to line by Witt on his 11th drawn foul.

Sacramento State briefly retook a 69-68 lead with 2:46 remaining, but free baskets by Witt, followed by a step back jumper by Sharp gave APSU a 72-69 advantage with 49 seconds left. 

After exchanging makes from the line, the Govs emerged victorious with a 74-71 win, the program's first in California and first in as many meetings against Sacramento State.

The Difference

DeMarcus Sharp and Sai Witt. The duo combined for 54 points, while the Hornets' top scorers of Zee Hamoda and Brandon Betson combined for 32 points. 

Sharp went 4-for-8 from the field and 11-for-14 from the charity stripe in the second half, while Witt went 8-for-9 from the charity stripe with 12 points and six rebounds throughout the final 20 minutes.

Up Next

Austin Peay concludes the longest road trip in program history with a 12:30 p.m. (CT), Sunday game against Appalachian State in Boone, North Carolina. 

 What the Peayple are Saying

Inside the Box Score

• Austin Peay earned its first win in the state of California, improving to 2-1.
• The Governors won their first game against Sacramento State in as many opportunities.
• Austin Peay ended a three-game losing streak in MTE's, claiming its first win since a 74-59 win against Albany in the Sunshine Slam last season.
• The win also is the Govs' first neutral site victory since the win against Albany.
• DeMarcus Sharp scored a season-high 33 points. It is the most points by a Governor since Terry Taylor had 38 against Eastern Illinois, Jan. 8, 2021.
• Sai Witt earned his first start as a Govs and dropped 21 points and hauled in a team-best 11 rebounds in the win.
• Sai Witt's double-double is the fourth by a Gov in 2023-24 and the first since DeMarcus Sharp's 14-point, 10-rebound performance against Fisk, Nov. 14.
• DeMarcus Sharp and Sai Witt's 54 combined points are the most by an APSU tandem since Terry Taylor and Jordyn Adams combined for 74 against Tennessee State, Jan. 23, 2020.
• Dez White made the Govs' first three-pointer of the game, extending APSU's program record to 672-straight games with a triple, a streak that began Feb. 23, 2002.
• Austin Peay's 24 made free throws are its most since making 25 against Lindsey Wilson, Dec. 12, 2022.
• The Govs' six blocks are tied for their season best mark after also having six deflections against Fisk.

Coach's Corner

With head men's basketball coach Corey Gipson

Overall thoughts.… "I am really proud of this group that we have. They have progressed so well throughout the season. We never talk about winning, the only thing we talk about is getting better and growing together. When you grow together, you stay together and as long as this group continues to have unconditional love for each other and continues to serve each other and being genuine about the brotherhood, we are going in the right direction."

On the second-half defense… "We changed our lineup to start the game, we went with a bigger lineup. We really sent reinforcement inside the paint, because we wanted to set a resurgence with paint touches, whether we get it in there by pass or by dribbling. Doing that allows us to cause more friction to start the game, and you can see we took 32 free throws. We are going to continue to emphasize with this group that we have to get paint touches and get the ball inside by dribble or pass."

Austin Peay point guard DeMarcus Sharp

On facilitating to Sai Witt… "It really was our gameplan [to pass to Witt in the post]. When Sai Witt is locked in, he is unstoppable… At times, when I feel like I can score too, I can kind of take over the game and try to win it for us."

On playing in the facility… "I just love the rims here. I had a nice feel for the rims. Everything was falling when we were warming up. I wore leg sleeves [earlier this season] and wasn't really feeling that, so once I took those off today and got back to what I normally do, I can't be stopped."

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 Governors inaugural season in F&M Bank Arena, follow the men's basketball team on X and Instagram (@GovsMBB), on Facebook (Austin Peay Men's Basketball), or check back at LetsGoPeay.com.