APSU Tops MT in Overtime

CLARKSVILLE, Tenn. - The Blue Raiders (3-7) got 21 points from Tommy Gunn, but could not overcome a surging Austin Peay (5-3) in overtime, falling 79-71.

The Blue Raiders jumped out to a 14-4 lead in the first nine minutes of the game, but the Govs roared back to knot the score at 24-24 with 4:22 to go in the first frame.

William Pippen drilled a trey at the 3:03 to give the Blue Raiders a 27-24 advantage, but APSU put together a 10-6 run to close out the first half, taking a 34-30 lead to the locker room at the intermission.

Middle Tennessee opened up the second half on a roll, charging back to take a 47-45 lead at 12:25 to go behind a Gunn 3-pointer. From that point, the two teams would battle neck-and-neck.

Austin Peay looked to have taken a permanent lead, up five with 5:14 to play. The Blue Raiders mounted a 9-1 run to take the lead at 63-62 with 2:41 to go. A Bryant Mitchell dunk gave the Blue Raiders a 65-62 lead with 1:08 to play.

The Govs scored three straight points to close out regulation to knot the score at 65 when regulation time expired.

The Govs owned the overtime period. The Govs took the lead at 4:19 behind a Levi Carmichael 3-pointer and never looked back.

Gunn's 21 points paced the Blue Raider offense, and it marked the second time that he has eclipsed the 20-point mark this year. Gunn and Pippen led the rebounders with five each.

Adrian Henning led the Govs with 22 points and nine rebounds.

The Blue Raiders will take a short holiday break before taking on Kennesaw State at 7 PM on Dec. 27 in Murfreesboro.

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