CLARKSVILLE, Tenn. – Austin Peay State University's basketball team ended Sunday's exhibition contest on a 13-0 run to earn a 79-74 victory against Evansville on Gary Mathews Court at F&M Bank Arena.
Felipe Minzer led the Govs in both rebounds (8) and assists (7) during his first collegiate experience, while Zyree Collins was second on the team in both rebounds and assists with seven and five, respectively.
The Governors forced 17 Evansville turnovers which translated into 22 points, while also outscoring the Purple Aces in the paint, 38-26.
Four of Austin Peay's first five baskets of the afternoon came from different Governors, with Collins, Rashaud Marshall, all finding the scoring column within the first 3:13 of the contest. Minzer's layup gave the Govs a 9-8 lead, as the first seven baskets by both sides resulted in lead changes. Minzer's score also sparked a three-minute, 7-3 run for the Govs, who led 15-11 six minutes into the opening half.
After swapping scores midway through the period, Cam Ryans scored in back-to-back trips down the court, extending APSU's advantage to a game-high 10 points. The Purple Aces responded to the Govs' advantage with a two-and-a-half-minute, 13-2 run where they made seven-straight attempts from the field with a pair of three-pointers.
Austin Peay and UE exchanged the final 12 points of the opening half, with the Purple Aces leading 43-40 heading into the break. Collins led the Govs with 12 points and four rebounds at the half, as the Govs shot 48.5% from the field to UE's 61.5%.
Marshall scored on APSU's first possession of the second half and, following a split trip to the free throw line, Shamarrie Hugie hit a three to tie the game at 46.
Less than five minutes into the final period, Todd converted a four-point play, with his triple tying the game at 50 and his free throw giving the Govs their first advantage since 2:06 in the first half. Two minutes later, Todd hit back-to-back triples to help the Govs regain a three-point lead, but an 18-5 UE run gave the Purple Aces an eight-point lead with 5:20 to play.
Then comes the aforementioned 13-0 run.
Prior to the Govs' extended scoring stretch, Evansville was shooting 52.9% from the field and 44.4% from distance. The Govs' forced seven-straight UE misses in the final five minutes of the game, while also causing it to turn the ball over a trio of times.
Bradley Floyd's fourth field goal of the afternoon sparked the Govs scoring stretch, as APSU went on to make four of its next five attempts from the field, with a Minzer three-point play giving the Govs a two-point lead with 2:28 to play. A layup by Marshall and free throw by Collins in the final 30 seconds were the final scores of the afternoon, as the Govs earned a 79-74 exhibition victory.
THE DIFFERENCE
Efficiency. The Governors held Evansville to 34.4% from the field and 30% from three in the second half Austin Peay also turned the ball over just 10 times on the night, while forcing 17 Evansville Turnovers. The Govs scored outscored the Purple Aces 12-4 in the second half.
BOX SCORE BULLETS
- Austin Peay improved to 21-1 in exhibition games gating back to 2010.
- The Governors remained undefeated at 4-0 in exhibitions at F&M Bank Arena.
- All eight Governors who appeared in Sunday's exhibition scored at least four points. It is the first time that everyone who plays has scored since last season's opener against Bryan (11/3/25).
- Zyree Collins, Rashaud Marshall, Bradley Floyd, Shamarrie Hugie, and Felipe Minzer earned the starting nod in the exhibition.
- The start was Hugie, Minzer, and Floyd's first (unofficial) start as Governors.
- Hugie, Minzer, Floyd, Cam Ryans, Talon Todd, and Alex Davis played in their first (again, unofficial) games at APSU.
UP NEXT
Austin Peay concludes preseason play with a 7 p.m., Oct. 27 exhibition against IU Indy on Gary Mathews Court at F&M Bank Arena. The contest against the Jaguars also is free to the public.
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