NASHVILLE, Tenn. – The Tennessee State men's basketball team couldn't overcome a 23-point first half deficit and fell to Austin Peay, 75-65, on Thursday night in the Gentry Center.
M.J. Rhett led the Tigers in points and rebounds, recording 20 and 10, respectively. The performance was the redshirt junior's 11th double-double of the campaign.
Patrick Miller (17), Kennedy Eubanks (13) and Jay Harris (11) also crossed the 10-point plateau for Tennessee State (3-22, 2-9 OVC). Eubanks also had 10 rebounds while Harris added eight.
TSU beat Austin Peay (10-13, 4-5 OVC) on the glass, 39 to 33, but the Governors blocked seven Tiger shot attempts.
Austin Peay started the game red-hot, nailing 10 of its first 11 baskets (91 percent), including a 2-for-2 line from behind the three-point arc.
The strong shooting allowed the Governors to jump out to a 26-6 lead with nine minutes left in the first half.
The Tigers later trailed 30-7, but showed some signs of life by scoring eight straight points to cut the lead to 15. Rhett put the punctuation mark on the run with a strong two-handed dunk that was set up by a nice assist from Miller.
APSU closed out the first period with a three-pointer with one-second left and held a 42-24 lead at the break.
Rhett and Miller combined for 21 of TSU's 24 first half points.
The Tigers cut the Governor lead down to seven at 57-50 with a 7-0 run. Eubanks started the rally with a corner three and ended it with a pair of freebies with 6:25 to go.
A Harris three-pointer at the 3:35 mark got Tennessee State within six, but APSU responded with five-straight down the stretch, letting the Governors walk away with the double-digit victory.
TSU will stay at home this weekend and host Murray State on Saturday night at 7:30 p.m. for courtside dining.
--TSUTigers--
