FINAL: Tennessee Tech 69, Austin Peay 83

2nd 0:47 With both teams in the double bonus, free throws were important in the final minutes, The Govs continue to have success at the line now shooting 77 percent. But the Golden Eagles led by Ogbe aren’t going away as the German now has 11 points. Triggs makes a great trailing block, which leads to a break-a-way dunk by Horton. That should seal the deal for the Govs. TTU 64, APSU 79

2nd 3:35 Samarrippas continues to be key for the Golden Eagles as he knocks down his third three-pointer after a timeout. Ogbe and Caldwell are back on the floor for TTU, but it’s still the senior Samarrippas leading the way with 13 points. Betran gives the momentum back to the Govs with his fourth deep ball of the game, and is followed by an easy bucket for Horton. Triggs now with a double-double (13 points and 10 rebounds). APSU still hitting open shots to keep a comfortable lead. TTU 58, APSU 71

2nd 7:53 Smith becomes the leading scorer at 15 for the Govs with a jumper, and the picks up his ninth assist with a lob to Horton to throws down a two-handed slam. The Golden Eagles have cooled down without Caldwell or Ogbe playing limited minutes. But with less than eight minutes to go, they should be out there to attempt to overcome the deficit. TTU 48, APSU 63

2nd 11:08 Ogbe picks up his fourth foul as Horton goes to the line, which is a huge for the Golden Eagles with Caldwell also on the bench with four. The difference Smith has been for the Govs is quite noticeable as he lobs up his eighth assist to Triggs, who finishes with a layup. Out of a timeout, Samarrippas finds space for a jumper to keep the Eagles within striking distance, and Johnson follow with a three-pointer from the corner. The free throw shooting for the Govs has been far and away better tonight has the percentage rises to 76 percent. Impressive play by the Govs as Triggs fooled the defense to find a cutting Smith for a one-handed dunk. TTU 44, APSU 55

2nd 15:55 After a pair of blocks by Horton, Triggs found himself in the right spot at the right time to secure a lose ball put up the first two points of the second half. Ogbe comes out to start for TTU and gets his first points of the game after being out of most of the first in foul trouble. Triggs gets another feed from Smith and goes to the line again for another three-point play opportunity. This time, he hits the free throw. Betran continues to deliver from the outside as he nails his third triple of the game. TTU 35, APSU 44

HALFTIME: Tennessee Tech 31, Austin Peay 36

TTU first half: 10-28 from the field, 4-10 from three, 7-11 on FTs
Scoring – Johnson 8, Caldwell 7, Samarrippas 6, McCay 4, Carter 4, Allen 2

APSU first half: 12-19 from the field, 5-9 from three, 7-9 on FTs
Scoring – Smith 9, Betran 8, Dyson 6, Horton 5, Triggs 4, Williams 4

1st 0:00 TTU tried to press APSU by basically triple-teaming the Govs back court, which left Smith wide open in the corner for three. Turnovers continue to haunt the Govs has they now have 10, but maintained their lead going into the half. TTU 31, APSU 36

1st 3:57 Horton finally gets his first basket of the game, and Smith follows with a break-a-way dunk off a steal to get the crowd into the game. TTU’s Johnson and Betran exchange threes, but on the opposite end, Betran is called with a technical foul. Not sure what he said or did, but the senior now two fouls and takes a seat. TTU 27, APSU 28

1st 7:57 We’ve been waiting for Betran to return to attack mode, and comes out to score the first points following the break with a three-pointer. The feel of the game is definitely better with D.D. Smith back in the lineup for APSU, as the junior has four points and four assists. TTU has dominated on the boards as Caldwell gets the Golden Eagles’ ninth offensive rebound that leads to him going to the line. TTU 21, APSU 21

1st 10:51 TTU’s leading scorer Ogbe goes to the bench with two fouls, which could play a role later in the game. But Ladon Carter enters the game and gets a put back dunk. Limiting TTU to second chance points is going to be a key for the Govs tonight. Something we’ve never seen this year is Triggs taking the ball down court, and just the sounds of it doesn’t sound good. It ends up being deflected and off his foot for a turnover. Dyson is on point thus far for the Govs as he buries his second three-pointer of the game. Just before the media timeout, Samarrippas answers with another three of his own. TTU 16, APSU 14

1st 15:46 Just seconds into the game Samarrippas nails a three for TTU. Let the fun begin. For the Govs, early indications are it’s going to be difficult to get the ball to Triggs down low with a couple guys who are 6’7 and 6’8 for TTU. APSU also makes its first triple of the night as Dyson hits it from the right wing. Caldwell is a force in the paint for the Golden Eagles as he makes a bucket before the first media timeout. TTU 5, APSU 3

Tennessee Tech wins the tip and we are underway.

Starters:

Golden Eagles: Jordan Johnson, Jeremiah Samarrippas, Javon McKay, Dennis Ogbe, Dwan Caldwell

Governors: Travis Betran, Chris Horton, Will Triggs, D.D. Smith, Ed Dyson

Pregame:

• This is the 138th meeting between Tennessee Tech (10-11, 3-3 OVC) and Austin Peay (8-12, 2-4).
• The series has been nearly even, with the Golden Eagles holding a slight edge 69-68.
• Last meeting – Jan. 26, 2013. Tennessee Tech won the game 70-52 in Cookeville.
• The Golden Eagles have won the last five contests against the Govs.
• Tennessee Tech has lost their last two meetings, including a blowout loss to Murray State on Thursday 92-53.
• The Govs have lost four games in a row, and also lost on Thursday at home against Jacksonville State 71-59.
• The Golden Eagles currently don’t have any players averaging over 10 points, but instead own six men who average at least 7.6 points per game. Dennis Ogbe leads TTU with 9.9 ppg.
• Meanwhile, APSU has three players averaging double-figures – Chris Horton (13.9), Travis Betran (13.1), and Will Triggs (12.3).