Austin Peay at Evansville
Saturday, December 16th, 2017 | 3:00pm CT
Evansville, IN | Ford Center
Clarksville, TN – For the final time in the non-conference slate, Austin Peay State University men’s basketball will hit the road for a trip to Evansville to take on the Evansville Purple Aces, 3:00pm, Saturday.
![Austin Peay Men's Basketball travels to Evansville to take on the Purple Aces this Saturday. (APSU Sports Information) Austin Peay Men's Basketball travels to Evansville to take on the Purple Aces this Saturday. (APSU Sports Information)](https://www.clarksvilleonline.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/12/APSU-Mens-Basketball-34-480x320.jpg)
In addition to another quality road opponent for the Govs, the trip serves a dual purpose of giving Austin Peay an in-season look at the Ford Center, home to the Purple Aces and site of the 2018 Ohio Valley Conference Men and Women’s Basketball Tournament.
This will be the 25th meeting between the Govs and Purple Aces—that’s the second-most meetings between the Govs and a Division I foe they have not shared a conference with, behind only Arkansas State (28). The Govs seek their first win against Evansville since 2009, in a series which dates back to 1943.
Prior to the contest, a 1:00pm reception at the Evansville DoubleTree Hotel adjacent the Ford Center will be held for Austin Peay fans who made the trip to cheer on the Govs.
About the Evansville Purple Aces
Evansville boasts a strong presence at home in the Ford Center–site of the 2017-18 Ohio Valley Conference Tournament–going 82-29 overall since it opened in 2011 and 32-7 over the last three seasons.
This year, Marty Simmons’ squad is hitting 49.0 percent from beyond the arc, led by Dru Smith and Blake Simmons, who are a combined 54.1 percent from deep through 10 games and have had to pick up the slack in the absence of Ryan Taylor, who will miss six weeks with a fractured foot.
Last Time Out Against Evansville
Jaylon Brown and Christian Benzon, both since departed, combined for 43 points on 17-of-28 shooting to lead Evansville to a 77-69 win last season in the Dunn Center. The Govs suffered an off-night from the floor, hitting just 39.6 percent (21-of-53) from the floor, although Zach Glotta sprung for 14 points, including a quartet of three-pointers.
Keep An Eye On
Evansville hits 49.0 percent from beyond the arc as a team, led by Dru Smith and Blake Simmons who have combined for 54.1 percent from deep.
A win would be the Govs first in Evansville since 1997.
Austin Peay opponents are averaging 23.6 turnovers per game over the last seven contests.
Freshman Terry Taylor leads the OVC in offensive rebounds (4.1/game), while senior Averyl Ugba is fifth (2.6/game).
Taylor’s mark puts him eighth in the nation as well, and first among freshmen.
Senior Tre’ Ivory‘s 2.2 steals per game ranks second in the league and 39th nationally.
At 21.0 turnovers forced per game, the Govs rank fifth nationally, while also pulling in 10.1 steals per contest (11th).
Follow APSU Govs Online
Check back at LetsGoPeay.com and on Austin Peay’s Official Athletics Facebook page often for up-to-date news about all Governor athletics, as well as the Governor men’s basketball Twitter page (@AustinPeayMBB). Live stats will be available during the game at PeayStats.com, and all home games and Ohio Valley Conference games can be viewed on www.ovcdigitalnetwork.com
Postgame video interviews and other videos from around APSU Athletics can be found on our YouTube page (www.youtube.com/letsgopeay)