Lights out, a literal and figurative term used for APSU’s matchup against UT Martin, as the game saw a delay due to lights going out. The Govs also shot 58 percent during the narrow win.
APSU won 72-70 despite a late push from the Skyhawks. The effort was enough to keep the Govs undefeated in Ohio Valley Conference play, moving to 4-0 in the OVC for the first time since the 2010-11 season, and 12-5 overall. The Govs’ hot streak continues, winning 10 of their last 11 contests.
The Govs were led in scoring by Terry Taylor who posted a game-high 20. Taylor also finished with nine rebounds, good for second on the team. Jabari McGhee finished the game with 14 points and 10 rebounds.
Jarrett Givens provided a spark early, converting four three-pointers early in the first half. Martin quickly found themselves trailing 24-16. The electricity behind APSU’s early onslaught disappeared when the power went out with just over eight minutes left in the first half.
Once power was restored the Skyhawks scraped away at the lead quickly. The Govs were outscored 22-17 in the closing eight minutes of the half. The Govs held a narrow 41-38 lead entering the half.
The second half only got harder for the Govs. Despite never trailing, the Govs never led by more than double digits.
Taylor, who had eight points in the first half, emerged with 12 in the second half to help provide a spark, but he was assisted by two seniors to help ice the game.
Chris Porter-Bunton and Zach Glotta both provided clutch play in the closing moments of the game. After a quick run by Martin, Porter-Bunton converted on a close-range jumper to break it. Up by one point with 55 seconds left, Glotta scored on a corner three to extend the lead.
The game still came down to the final moments, however, as the Skyhawks cut the lead down to 72-70. With nine seconds left in regulation, Martin’s Kevin Little drove down the court where he was blocked by Taylor as the clock hit zero.
“We didn’t deserve it. I told Anthony [Stewart, UT Martin head coach] that we didn’t deserve it, they deserved to win. All we did was self-inflict—missed free throws, didn’t guard, didn’t guard the three-point line, a gazillion turnovers… I’m thankful we got out of here with a win but we didn’t deserve to win,” Figger said after the game to letsgopeay.com
The win marked the Govs third straight against Martin for the first time since the 2013-2014 seasons.
APSU continues their road trip as they play SIU Edwardsville Jan. 17 in an attempt to move to 5-0 in OVC play.
