Austin Peay State Secures 73-65 Win Over Stetson

Austin Peay State took care of business at home, defeating Stetson 73-65 at the F&M Bank Arena. The Governors' win was fueled by a strong performance from Rashaud Marshall, who led the team with 21 points and 9 rebounds. This outcome was largely expected, as CHD Scout had predicted an Austin Peay win by 13.2 points, and although the actual margin was slightly narrower at 8 points, the prediction ultimately proved correct.

The first half saw Stetson take a narrow lead into the break, up 32-31. However, Austin Peay State came out strong in the second half, outscoring the Hatters 42-33 to secure the win. Marshall's dominant play was complemented by solid performances from Zyree Collins, who chipped in 16 points and 5 assists, and Anton Brookshire, who added 15 points. The Governors' balanced attack proved too much for Stetson to handle, as they pulled away in the second half.

Stetson's Collin Kuhl was a bright spot for the Hatters, posting a double-double with 16 points and 11 rebounds. Alex Doyle and Ethan Copeland also made significant contributions, scoring 13 points each. Despite these efforts, the Hatters were unable to overcome the Governors' strong team performance.

The win improves Austin Peay State's record to 13-6, while Stetson falls to 7-14. This game was classified as a Quadrant 4 game for Austin Peay and a Quadrant 3 game for Stetson, which has implications for their respective tournament resumes. For Austin Peay, the victory is a solid addition to their portfolio, but as a Q4 win, it may not significantly boost their chances. On the other hand, the loss is not overly damaging to Stetson's resume, given that it was a Q3 game, but it does highlight the challenges the Hatters face in terms of strength of schedule and performance against stronger opponents.

As the season progresses, Austin Peay State want to build on this win and continue to strengthen their tournament resume. With a current net ranking of 149, they are still on the periphery of the tournament conversation, but a strong finish to the season could put them in contention for a postseason berth. For Stetson, the focus will be on trying to string together some wins and improving their overall record, as they currently sit at 327 in the net rankings. The loss to Austin Peay State, while not unexpected, underscores the need for the Hatters to perform well in their remaining games to have any hope of a successful season.