Clarksville Times

Cameron Copeland was the only change to Austin Peay State University's lineup to begin the second half, but it was the most impactful.

Copeland and Elijah Hutchins-Everett combined to outscore Tennessee State 30-25 after halftime, and Saturday's "Red Out" turned into a whitewash following the Governors' 77-61 win. Austin Peay (4-5) closed the series in the Winfield Dunn Center winning five-straight, including four by 15 points or more, and 33-9 all-time. The Governors, who snapped a three-game skid overall, have won four of the last five meetings and scored their largest win in the last seven matchups.

"In the first half, we didn't stick to the gameplan," Austin Peay head coach Nate James said. "At halftime, we changed some things because their guards were getting downhill. I think (Marcus) Fitzgerald Jr. had 12, 14 points in the first half, but in the second half, it was completely different. We locked in, defended, took away the 3, outrebounded them, and we held them down. Because of that defensive effort, it really led to our offense (taking off), so now we're clicking on both ends of the floor."

The Governors erased a 36-30 halftime deficit by scoring the first eight points after intermission and opening the frame on a 10-1 run through its first 3:42. The Tigers did not make their first second half field goal until the 14:30 mark and were outscored 33-10 in the first 13 minutes. Austin Peay outscored Tennessee State (4-4) 47-25 in the final period. Hutchins-Everett tallied 16 of his 19 points in the half. Copeland scored 14 of his season-high 16 points in the period.

"I picked up my physicality on the defensive end, and we got a lot of stops," Copeland said. "It gave me a lot of confidence on the offensive end."

Hutchins-Everett shot 4-of-6 from the floor and 7-of-8 from the free throw line in the final 20 minutes. Copeland was 6-of-8 from the field, including 2-of-3 from deep. Six of Copeland's season-high eight rebounds also came in the half.

The Governors shot 60 percent (15-of-25) from the floor and 87.5 percent (14-of-16) from the charity stripe after intermission. Austin Peay led by double digits the final 12:11 and by as many as 17 twice.

"We're still learning and growing," James commented. "We're a very young team, and I like to see steady progress."

The Governors' Sean Durugordon scored 15 of his career-high 24 points in the first half on 6-of-9 shooting, including a 3-of-6 clip from deep. His team shot 42.3 percent (11-of-26) from the floor and 41.7 percent (5-of-12) from beyond the arc.

Durugordon finished with career-highs in points (24), minutes (40), field goals made (9), and steals (2) and tied a career-high with three assists. Hutchins-Everett posted season-highs in free throws made (10) and attempted (12) and became the first Austin Peay player to make 10 or more since he made 13 against Dayton on Nov. 20, 2021. He tied a career-high playing 38 minutes. Copeland made a season-high seven baskets on 13 attempts. Durugordon, Hutchins-Everett, and Jalen Ware each grabbed six boards.

The Governors shot 51 percent (26-of-51) overall and better than 50 percent for the second-consecutive contest. Austin Peay connected on 38.1 percent (8-of-21) from 3 and 85 percent (17-of-20) from the stripe. The Governors won the battle of the boards 33-25, including 9-8 on the offensive glass, and held edges in bench points (19-17) and second chance points (10-8). Austin Peay improved to 3-1 when outrebounding its opponent.

Fitzgerald Jr. and Jr. Clay each ended with 16 points. Fitzgerald Jr. scored only two points and was 0-of-3 from the field in the second half after going 4-of-9 from the floor and 5-of-6 from the stripe in the first. He ended 7-of-8 from the line. Eleven of Clay's 16 came after halftime, as he shot 4-of-6 from the floor in the period and 6-of-11 overall to go along with five assists and three steals.

"If we can keep building on this and win these next two home games, we'll be headed in the right direction," James said. "Ultimately every win is a great win. I'm so happy that our guys pulled it out, found a way to perform, and we just have to keep getting better.

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