ETSU entered the night 8–2; Austin Peay came in at 4–5 — and by the final buzzer Peay walked out with a 76–75 win.

By David Oglesby

Photo / Austin Peay Athletics

From the opening jump Austin Peay came determined to win. The entire first half was a desplay of offensive and defensive prowness by the Governors. ETSU's challenges were met quickly and decisively leading to the visiting Buccaneers trailing the entire first half.

Austin Peay’s steady climb in the second half proved decisive in a tense, back‑and‑forth matchup that had fans on the edge of their seats. The Governors trailed the higher‑seeded Buccaneers in record, but not in resolve — and they showed it when it mattered most.

Early exchanges in the second half were sloppy for both teams, with several missed shots and frantic possessions. ETSU’s Zyree Collins was a force all night, finishing with 25 points and an active presence on the glass. But Austin Peay matched that intensity on the boards — finishing with 37 rebounds (12 offensive) to ETSU’s 35 — and kept fighting for second‑chance points.

Collins opened Peay’s scoring string in the half from the charity stripe, converting two free throws to knot the game at 75. He continued to attack the rim and pull down rebounds, but Austin Peay’s defense — led by Rashaud Marshall and Collin Parker — pressured ETSU into turnovers and difficult looks. Those stops translated into transition chances and kept Peay within striking distance.

As the final minutes ticked away the game turned into a possession chess match. Matt Enright’s timely three gave Peay a lift; Enright finished with 17 points and hit the big shot his team needed. Marshall also answered the bell, pouring in 17 and making several key plays on both ends. Blake Barkley and Cam Morris III led ETSU’s other scoring with 19 and 12 respectively, but Collins was the clear engine for the Buccaneers.

Austin Peay maintained a lead for long stretches late, but the margin was never comfortable. ETSU briefly jumped ahead with 1:33 left in the game, a dagger of momentum that could have swung the result. Peay, however, responded with the composure that had defined their second half, executing defensively and converting opportunities at the line — the Governors made 15 of 17 free throws — to edge ahead.

When the final horn sounded the stat sheet read: Austin Peay 76, ETSU 75. Field goal percentages were close (ETSU 45.9%, Peay 40.3%), but Peay’s extra attention on the offensive boards (12 offensive rebounds) and near‑perfect late free‑throw shooting made the difference. Officials for the game were Jason Creek, Kyle Bottoms and Michael Smith Jr.

In a game that hinged on a few possessions and a clutch late response, Austin Peay’s resilience and balanced efforts from Enright, Marshall and others earned a signature road win over a 8–2 ETSU club — a result that will buoy the Governors as they look to build momentum.