DeLand, Fla. – Austin Peay State University's basketball team fell to Stetson in the Atlantic Sun Conference Championship game, 94-91, Sunday, at the Edmunds Center.

Sai Witt led Austin Peay (19-15) with 28 points and 10 rebounds, while Dezi Jones had 17 points, seven rebounds, and a career-high 11 assists in the outing.

The Governors scored the game's first four points on a pair of Witt layups, and led 11-3 less than three minutes in, but a 10-0 Hatters' run a few minutes later gave them a 19-16 advantage at the midway point of the opening period. 

After playing to a 26-26 stalemate with 4:59 remaining, a Ja'Monta Black three-pointer sparked a two-minute, 11-2 run for the Govs, but the Stetson scored six unanswered points to trim APSU's advantage to 39-36 at the break.

Witt led the game with 15 points on 7-of-11 shooting from the field through the opening half, while Isaac Haney made six free throws and scored eight points.

A transition layup by Jones six minutes into the second half gave APSU a 54-47 lead, but the surge was answered by a 13-5 Hatters' run as they retook the lead after converting a three-point play.

Stetson controlled the lead until a DeMarcus Sharp mid-range jumper followed by a Jones three-pointer tied the game at 84 with 1:40 remaining in regulation. 

Jones trimmed the Govs deficit to one at 92-91 with six second remaining, but Stetson's Jalen Blackmon made a pair of late free throws to made the difference three, and Black's three-pointer from the wing was offline, resulting in the 94-91decision.

Up Next

Austin Peay will wait to see if it is selected to the National Invitation Tournament (selection show at 8:30 p.m., March 17) or the College Basketball Invitational.

Inside the Box 

• Sai Witt led Austin Peay with 28 points.
• Dezi Jones led the Governors with 11 assists, the most since Damarius Smith had 12 against Dalton State, Dec. 30, 2013.
• The Governors finish second in the ASUN Championship during their first postseason appearance in the conference. It also is the Govs' 13th runner-up finish in program history.
• Ja'Monta Black extended his program record with 111 three-pointers this season – nine more than the previous record holder, Todd Babington.
• Austin Peay made a three-pointer for the 700th consecutive game.

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.