Box Score

CLARKSVILLE, Tenn. – Trailing by two, Eastern Kentucky University freshman MJ Williams drove the hit a running 3-pointer from the top of the key, but the horn sounded just before it left his hand and first place Austin Peay escaped with a 74-72 victory on Thursday in Clarksville, Tennessee.
 
Juan Cranford Jr. connected on a lay-up with 10.4 seconds remaining in the game to get EKU within one, 73-72.  The Colonels sent Anton Brookshire to the line with four seconds to go.  He made the first and missed the second.  Montavious Myrick pulled down the rebound and fed the ball to Williams near APSU's free throw line.  The freshman guard weaved through traffic before putting up a running jumper that found the bottom of the net.  Officials initially ruled the shot good, but overturned the decision after a video review.
 
Myrick finished with a double-double, scoring 15 points and pulling down 12 rebounds.  Williams had nine points, three assists and three rebounds.
 
EKU shot 57% from the field for the game and made 48% from 3-point range (11-for-23).  However, Austin Peay did what it does best, turning the Colonels 17 times off 13 steals.  APSU gave it away just 10 times and had a 28-12 edge in points off turnovers. 
 
Austin Peay entered the game third in the nation in steals (11.4 spg), sixth in turnover margin (+5.93) and seventh in turnovers forced per game (16.73).
 
The Governors (11-5, 5-0 ASUN) scored the first five points of the game and took a 10-point lead, 16-6, on a free throw from Ja'Corey Robinson.  A three by Zyree Collins handed APSU a 14-point lead, 22-8, with 11:40 remaining in the first half.
 
The Colonels (6-12, 2-3 ASUN) righted the ship.  A three from the right wing by Cranford started a stretch of nine unanswered.  Williams hit a jumper to close the gap to five, 22-17.  A jumper from Myrick got EKU within two, 24-22.  A jumper in the paint from Williams made it a 2-point game again, 26-24. 
 
After Austin Peay moved back in front by six, Turner Buttry and Austin Ball hit a pair of 3-pointers.  Buttry knocked in one from the right wing.  After a steal by Ball, and then an offensive rebound from the Colonels, Ball nailed one from the right wing off an inbound pass.  That triple tied the game for the first time, 30-30, with 4:56 before intermission.
 
With the Governors in front by five, Jayden Harris slammed one through the net.  Buttry and Harris then hit back-to-back three's.  The shot by Harris from the left wing gave EKU its first lead of the game, 38-35, with 30 seconds on the clock.  APSU scored the final basket of the opening stanza to make it a 1-point game at the break.
 
A 3-pointer from the right corner by Jackson Holt gave the Colonels their largest lead of the game at eight points, 47-39, with 17:50 left to play.  The Governors erased a 7-point deficit with a 7-0 run, tying the game on Brookshire's layup with 9:31 remaining.  Robinson's layup with 2:31 on the clock put the home team in front by five, 69-64.
 
Ball's free throw and 3-pointer from the right corner closed his team to within one, 69-68, with 1:38 to go.  Williams' layup at the 1:10 mark made it a 1-point game again, 71-70.
 
Collins led all players with 18 points for Austin Peay.
 
Buttry finished with 14 points and Ball had 12 for EKU.
 
The Colonels will return home to host in-state conference rival Bellarmine on Saturday at 7 p.m. ET.  Saturday will be Ignite Night in honor of local nonprofits, churches and community organizations that make a difference very day in our community.