In a closely contested matchup, Austin Peay State edged out Jacksonville 65-61 at Swisher Gymnasium, securing a four-point victory. The Governors, ranked 134th nationally in NET, outlasted the Dolphins, who check in at 306th in NET, in a game that came down to the wire. The first half saw Austin Peay State take a slight lead, 33-28, but Jacksonville managed to stay within striking distance.
The second half saw Jacksonville pull ahead, 33-28, but Austin Peay State ultimately took control, outscoring the Dolphins 32-33 to seal the win. Despite the narrow margin, the game's outcome was far from a foregone conclusion, with both teams trading baskets and neither able to pull away for extended stretches.
Rashaud Marshall was the primary driving force behind Austin Peay's victory, scoring 26 points on an efficient 10-15 from the field. He also contributed on the glass with seven rebounds, while adding a block to his defensive tally. Marshall's shooting from the free throw line was less consistent, converting on just 6-13 attempts, but his overall production was a key factor in the Governors' win.
Collin Parker played a supporting role, scoring 14 points and grabbing eight rebounds. His six assists were a notable aspect of his performance, as he demonstrated a strong ability to facilitate the offense. Parker struggled from three-point range, going 0-5 on attempts, but his all-around contributions helped to complement Marshall's scoring efforts. Ja'Corey Robinson chipped in with 10 points, but his impact was somewhat more limited, with just two rebounds and one assist.
Hayden Wood's 22 points were a bright spot for Jacksonville, as he made the most of his 18 field goal attempts. However, his inability to contribute significantly in other areas, such as rebounding and assists, was a notable aspect of his performance. Wood's shooting percentages, including a 1-6 mark from three-point range, also left room for improvement.
Jaylen Jones and Donovan Rivers both struggled to make an impact in the game, with Jones managing just 8 points and 9 rebounds, while Rivers scored 8 points but failed to secure a single rebound. Jones' 9 rebounds were a positive, but his inability to translate that into more scoring opportunities was a drawback. Rivers' 6-6 mark from the free throw line was the only bright spot in his performance, but it was not enough to make up for his lack of overall production.
Zyree Collins' performance was a notable departure from his season averages, as he struggled to find his rhythm, shooting just 14.3% from the field and missing all but one of his three-point attempts. His four points were also a season-low, and his three rebounds were tied for a season-low. Given his typically high level of production, Collins' relative quietness was a significant aspect of the game, and his team's inability to compensate for his absence was a contributing factor in their loss.
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Final
In the end, the pre-game prediction held true, as Austin Peay emerged victorious by a margin of four points. While the final score may not have lived up to the predicted margin, the outcome itself was not a surprise. Jacksonville's struggles in the shooting department, particularly from beyond the arc, proved to be a significant factor in their inability to keep pace with Austin Peay's offense.
A closer examination of the in-game shooting percentages reveals that Jacksonville's inability to find their usual rhythm from the field was a major contributor to their defeat. The Dolphins' effective field goal percentage of 40.7% was well below their season average of 49.7%, and their three-point shooting percentage of 15.4% was a far cry from their season average of 30.7%. Conversely, Austin Peay's offense continued to thrive, with an effective field goal percentage of 44.7% that was only slightly below their season average. The Governors' ability to adapt and maintain a strong shooting performance was a key factor in their victory, as they were able to outlast Jacksonville in a closely contested matchup.
The victory for Austin Peay is a crucial non-conference win, coming in a Quad 4 matchup, which should boost their NET ranking and provide a much-needed addition to their resume. With their 21st win, Austin Peay has solidified their position as a top contender for a lower-seeded NCAA Tournament bid, likely placing them in the 13-14 seed range. Conversely, Jacksonville's loss in a Quad 3 game will likely have a negative impact on their NET ranking and overall resume, further cementing their status as a team on the bubble, but more realistically positioning them for a First Four at-large bid or an NIT invitation. This outcome effectively seals the fate of the two teams' postseason aspirations, with Austin Peay's win providing a vital springboard and Jacksonville's loss leaving them on life support.