CLARKSVILLE, Tenn. – After splitting a pair of games in the Sunshine State to open Atlantic Sun Conference play, Austin Peay State University's basketball team hosts the league's newest member, West Georgia, in a 7 p.m., Thursday contest on Gary Mathews Court at F&M Bank Arena.

Austin Peay (6-9, 1-1 ASUN) began ASUN play with a 97-89 victory at North Florida last Thursday, but is coming off a 68-44 loss at Jacksonville, Saturday. LJ Thomas and Tate McCubbin with 12 points and Thomas led the team in rebounds with eight. 

Thomas, who has started all 13 games he has appeared in this season, leads the team with 17.6 points and 5.5 rebounds per game and is averaging 17.5 points and 8.5 rebounds per game through a pair of conference games. 

McCubbin currently is on the best stretch of his freshman campaign, as the Columbia, Missouri native has averaged 13.2 points and 5.2 rebounds per game in his last five outings while shooting 49% (24-of-49) from the floor and 46% (13-of-28) from three-point range, and making multiple three-pointers in six-straight games. Defensively, McCubbin is second on the team – trailing only Thomas – with 18 steals this season and has at least one in eight-straight games and multiple in five-straight.

West Georgia (2-13, 0-2 ASUN) is the Govs' second and final first-time opponent of the season and the first since playing UT Arlington, Nov. 27. APSU is 4-3 against first-time opponents under second-year head coach Corey Gipson.

The Wolves are one of three teams not to earn a win in the opening week of ASUN play following losses to FGCU (79-69) and Stetson (78-62), both in Carrollton, Georgia. 

The Governors' game against West Georgia will be live streamed on ESPN+ with Barry Gresham and Ethan Schmidt on the call. Fans also can tune into the Governors Sports Network on ESPN Clarksville (104.1 FM / 540 AM) or via the TuneIn app to hear Brian Rives and Jeff Matthews call all the action.

Up Next

The Govs host Queens in a 4 p.m., Saturday game at F&M Bank Arena for their second of three-straight home games.

From The Jump

• Austin Peay returns to Clarksville for its ASUN home opener against West Georgia, Thursday.
• The Govs look to secure its second-straight home win and improve to 4-1 at home this season.
• LJ Thomas leads Austin Peay in scoring (17.6 points per game), rebounds (5.5), assists (3.3), steals (1.5), and minutes (34.1).
• Tekao Carpenter leads the Govs with 20 three-pointers this season. He is followed in triples by Isaac Haney and Tate McCubbin's 19.
• Thomas has led the Govs in scoring eight times this season with six 20-point games.
• Austin Peay is 5-0 this season when it shoots 45% from the field this season, and 5-0 when it shoots at least 35% from three-point range.
• The Govs are 5-1 when leading at the half this season. 

Scouting the Wolves

• West Georgia is the ASUN's newest member, joingin July 1, 2024.
• The Wolves are 2-13 and 0-2 in ASUN play during their first season as a Division I member.
• The Wolves were previously a member of the Gulf South Conference and won the 2023-24 GSC Regular-Season and Tournament Championship.
• West Georgia was picked last in both the ASUN Preseason Coaches and Media Poll.
• UWG's first win as a Division I affiliate came in a 78-73 victory against Tennessee Tech, Dec. 7
• Shelton Williams-Dryden leads West Georgia and is tied for third in the ASUN with 17.6 points per game.
• Williams-Dryden also leads the team and ranks second in the ASUN with 7.7 rebounds per game.
• Koelton Griffin is second on UWG's roster with 9.5 points per game and is third with 31 assists and 13 three-pointers.
• Griffin is the lone Wolves' player to start all 15 games and paces the team with 30.7 minutes per game.

Follow the Govs on Social

For news and updates on all things Governors' basketball, follow the men's basketball team on X and Instagram (@GovsMBB) and Facebook (Austin Peay Men's Basketball) or check back at LetsGoPeay.com.