Austin Peay defense denies UNCG its first win

By Josh Noel (@Josh_DDH)

GREENSBORO, N.C. — Austin Peay entered Saturday’s game at UNCG ranked second in the country for both steals per game (16) and turnovers forced per game (24.67).

The Governors’ defense continued its propensity to wreak havoc Saturday, generating 17 UNCG turnovers and ultimately leading Austin Peay (3-1) to a 69-63 road victory over the Spartans (0-4) at Bodford Arena. 

Collin Parker scored a game-high 22 points for Austin Peay and finished a rebound shy of a double-double. Parker finished as one of three Governors in double figures, as Tate McCubbin tallied 13 points and Zyree Collins finished with 11. 

Justin Neely recorded his third straight double-double for UNCG, posting 15 points and 14 rebounds, and was joined in the scoring column by Valentino Pinedo with 12 points. 

Austin Peay held UNCG scoreless for the first 6:20 of play, but was unable to distance itself early, leaving the door open for a 10-0 UNCG run. The Governors would respond with an 8-0 run of their own, making five of seven shots in that stretch while holding the Spartans scoreless over three minutes. Neely rattled off seven straight points and seven rebounds to get UNCG back within striking distance. 

The game remained in flux for much of the first half until McCubbin connected on the Governors’ first 3-pointer with 3:14 to go. Austin Peay would double that lead to six and enter halftime with a 33-27 lead. Momentum shifted back to UNCG to begin the second half, as the Spartans returned to play by making six of their first eight shots after the intermission, and also drawing contact that led to an avalanche of Austin Peay fouls. 

The Spartans would build to their largest lead of the day, at 46-41, with 12:48 to play following a Donald Whitehead, Jr. three and Pinedo free throw. Austin Peay’s foul trouble would continue, putting the Spartans in the double bonus for the final 9:15 of regulation. But yet again, the scoring would go ice cold for the Spartans when it was most needed. UNCG mustered only one made field goal over a near five-minute stretch, which allowed the Governors to retake the lead. The catalyst for the stretch run came from shooting 6-of-13 from 3-point range in the second half after going 1-for-12 from downtown in the first. 

UNCG clawed back with a Landon King three to cut the deficit to five, at 57-52, with 3:36 to play. But once again, McCubbin came through for the Governors. The preseason all-ASUN honoree drilled a three to make it 60-52 with 1:52 to bury the Spartans’ comeback and make it four straight games to begin the season with three or more triples. 

Austin Peay’s victory moves them to 3-1 for the second straight season under head coach Corey Gipson. UNCG’s defeat marks the first time the Spartans have begun 0-4 under Mike Jones. 

The Governors head to Oxford for the fourth stop in its five-game road trip, taking on Ole Miss Tuesday, while UNCG will look for its first win when it travels to Charlotte to face in-state foe Queens on Thursday.