They made 10 three-pointers, but the APSU Govs’ late rally fell short.
In a return game from last season’s ESPN Bracketbuster, Saturday, Nov. 28, the Govs lost their home opener to Drake 78-72.
The Govs fell to 2-4 for the season, and remain winless against Missouri Valley Conference opponents since they defeated Evansville in 2005.
Drake, also 2-4, recorded their first road win of the season.
“We just couldn’t guard them — some of it was physical, some of it mental — but we just couldn’t guard them,” APSU head coach Dave Loos said. “The energy level and determination needs to be higher and the mental mistakes need to go down.”
The Govs trailed by 10 after a Josh Young three-pointer with 2:16 left in the game.
Tyrone Caldwell made a free throw to convert a three-point play as part of eight straight points by the Govs to cut the lead to two with 1:05 remaining.
The Govs had an opportunity to tie the game, but they missed a layup and the following put back with 41 seconds left.
Drake’s Ryan Wedel had 19 points in the first half. Drake took a 38-29 halftime advantage. The Govs shot just 11-of-31 (35.5 percent) in the first half.
Drake made seven first-half three-pointers. The Govs made five.
The Govs would not go away. They cut the Drake lead to five on three different occasions in the second half, but could not get a defensive stop when needed. The Govs’ defense finally began to show up with a little more than two minutes left in the game.
Anthony Campbell kicked off the run with a three-pointer. Then the Govs forced consecutive turnovers. One culminated in a dunk by Marcel Williams to make the score 74-69 with 1:33 left.
Afterwards, Caldwell, who set up Williams for the dunk, came up with a steal.
On the ensuing play, Caldwell rebounded a missed shot and was fouled while making the bucket.
Campbell led the Govs with a career-high 23 points. Wesley Channels was the only other Gov to score in double-figures with 10 points. Williams grabbed 11 boards, and Justin Blake scored career-high eight points in 14 minutes. Caleb Brown also scored nine points.
After a horrific first-half shooting performance, the Govs shot 53.3 percent, 16-of-30, in the second half.
Drake shot 50.9 percent (28-of-55), including 13-of-22 from three-point territory.
“We have to develop some consistency and it’s not happening yet,” Loos said.
The Govs return to the hardwood Thursday, Dec. 3, to face Southeast Missouri in the Ohio Valley Conference home opener. Tip-off will be at 7:30 p.m. For their second conference game this week, the Govs will play host to Eastern Illinois 7:30 p.m., Saturday, Dec. 5.
Govs’ Basketball Schedule
Thurs., Dec. 3 Southeast Missouri
Sat., Dec. 5 Eastern Illinois
Wed., Dec. 9 Ohio
Sat., Dec. 12 Marian
Sat., Dec. 19 Kentucky
Tue., Dec. 22 Evansville
Sun., Dec. 27 Missouri
Sat., Jan. 2 Morehead State
Mon., Jan. 4 Eastern Kentucky
Thurs, Jan. 7 UT-Martin
Sat., Jan. 9 Murray State
Sat., Jan. 16 Tennessee State
Thurs., Jan. 21 Tennessee Tech
Sat., Jan. 23 Jacksonville State
Thurs., Jan. 28 Eastern Kentucky
Sat., Jan. 30 Morehead State
Thurs., Feb. 4 UT-Martin
Sat., Feb. 6 Murray State
Tue., Feb. 9 Tennessee Tech
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