Box Score

RICHMOND, Ky. – Eastern Kentucky University trailed first place Austin Peay by just six points early in the second half before the visiting Governors pulled ahead by 19, and then held on for a 90-82 victory on Wednesday at Baptist Health Arena.
 
Austin Peay (14-6, 8-1 ASUN) entered the game third in the nation in steals (11.1 spg), sixth in turnover margin (+5.5) and eighth in turnovers forced (16.3).  EKU turned the ball over just nine times.  The Governors had only four steals and were minus-8 in turnover margin.
 
EKU out-rebounded APSU 38-33 and pulled down 21 offensive rebounds.  However, the Governors shot 53% (24-for-45) from the field and 47% (7-for-15) from 3-point range.  The two teams combined for 65 free throw attempts with Austin Peay going 35-of-38 and the Colonels finishing 24-of-27 at the stripe.
 
Freshman Tyler Jackson led EKU with a career-best 19 points.  Montavious Myrick had 16 points and 11 rebounds.  Jackson Holt contributed 15 points.
 
The Colonels scored the first two points of the game, but the Governors scored the next eight and never trailed again.  APSU started 5-for-7 from the field and went in front 12-4 on a jumper from Collin Parker.  Matt Enright's 3-pointer with 7:26 on the clock gave Austin Peay its largest lead of the first half at 13 points, 30-17.  That basket from Enright capped a 9-for-12 start from the field for the visitors, including hitting 5-of-6 from behind the arc.
 
EKU closed to within six, 40-34, on a 3-pointer from Jackson with 1:04 before halftime.  Two free throws from freshman MJ Williams kept the margin at six, 42-36, at the break.
 
After hitting five of their first six 3-point attempts, the Governors missed their final five shots from behind the arc in the first half.  APSU shot 54% from the field (14-for-26) in the first 20 minutes.  The Colonels made 36% (11-for-31) of their first half shots.
 
EKU (7-15, 3-6 ASUN) didn't get closer than six until late in the second half.  Parker's 3-pointer with 16:37 left in the game put the Governors on top by 12, 54-42.  Austin Peay led by double digits until the final minute of the game, opening up a 19-point advantage, 72-53 with 6:39 left.   
 
The Colonels got within five after a 14-4 run.  Holt's two free throws with 15 seconds to play made it 87-82.  Williams got a steal on the ensuing inbound pass, but missed on a 3-pointer that would have made it a 2-point game.
 
Parker had 25 points for the Governors.
 
EKU will play at Central Arkansas on Saturday at 4:30 p.m. ET.