CLARKSVILLE, Tenn. – Austin Peay State University's basketball team enters its final game of the regular season with a No. 4 seed in the upcoming Atlantic Sun Conference Championship and home game in the tournament already locked, but before it can look ahead to the postseason, the Governors host Bellarmine for Senior Day in a 7 p.m., Saturday contest on Gary Mathews Court at F&M Bank Arena.

Senior Day festivities will begin approximately 25 minutes before tipoff, as APSU will recognize DeMarcus Sharp, Ja'Monta Black, Dezi Jones, Jordan Wilmore, Sai Witt, and Jalen Ware ahead of the contest against the Knights. 

Austin Pay (16-14, 9-6 ASUN) defeated Eastern Kentucky, Wednesday, in the Governors' penultimate game of the season after outscoring the Colonels 46-36 in the second half, while making 58.1% of their attempts from the field across the final 20 minutes. 

Wednesday's game also featured the return of Sharp – who missed the previous six games – making his first appearance off the bench, and connected on all five of his second-half attempts while also scoring all 10 of his points in the second half.

Witt (26 points) and Isaac Haney (22 points) paced the Govs in scoring against the Colonels, as APSU secured its sixth win in the last seven games, and ninth home win in its last 10 contests at F&M Bank Area. 

The Govs will close the ASUN slate with the same team they opened it against, with APSU earning an 84-68 victory against Bellarmine, Jan. 4, in Louisville, Kentucky. Jones scored a game-high 21 points in the wire-to-wire victory.

 Bellarmine has three players averaging double-figure scoring throughout ASUN Conference play and is led by Bash Wieland's 16.9 points per game, and has scored at least 14 points in 10 of his 11 ASUN appearances thus far.

Up Next

The Governors' first-ever postseason appearance as a member of the ASUN. The Governros will host the No. 5 seed – either North Florida or FGCU in a March 5 game at F&M Bank Arena. The time is to be determined. If UNF defeats Stetson in its regular-season finale, the Govs will host the Ospreys. If UNF loses and FGCU wins at Jacksonville, the Govs likely will host the Eagles. 

The Fastbreak

• Austin Peay concludes the regular season with a 7 p.m., Friday game against Bellarmine.
• Austin Peay is locked into the No. 4 seed in the upcoming ASUN Men's Basketball Championship and will host the No. 5 seed, March 5, with the opponent and game time to be determined.
• Austin Peay has won six of its last seven games and nine of its last 10 home games. 
• The Governors are coming off an 83-79 victory against current top-seeded Eastern Kentucky, Wednesday. 
• Bellarmine is 8-22 on the season and 4-11 in ASUN Conference play. 
• The Knights are coming off a 90-74 loss at Lipscomb, Wednesday, but have won two of their last three games. 
• Austin Peay is 12-7 all-time against Bellarmine, and ended a two-game losing streak to the Knights, Jan. 4, in Freedom Hall.
• Dezi Jones leads Austin Peay with 17.0 points per game in ASUN play and has tallied seven 20-point performances.
• Ja'Monta Black needs four three-pointers to become the Governors' single-season record holder. He enters the regular-season finale with 99 in 2023-24.

What a Win Would Mean

Govs improve to 17-14 on the season and 10-6 in ASUN Conference play… Austin Peay's 17 wins would mark a +8 win turnaround from the previous season, which is tied for the fourth-most in program history. It also would be one win away from marking the most by a head coach in their first season… Govs improve to 12-2 at home this season… Govs head into the postseason winners of seven of their last eight games.

Last Time Against Them

Last Game & Win… Austin Peay defeated Bellarmine 84-68, Jan. 4, in the ASUN opener. Dezi Jones led the game with 21 points in the wire-to-wire win. Jones was one of four Govs to score in double figures. 

Follow The Govs On Social

For news and updates throughout the Governors 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.