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Second-half effort, Taylor take APSU over UT Martin




Terry Taylor (21) grabs a rebound against UT-Martin.ROBERT SMITH/APSU SPORTS INFORMATION

Terry Taylor (21) grabs a rebound against UT-Martin.ROBERT SMITH/APSU SPORTS INFORMATION

For the second consecutive game, the Austin Peay State Governors blew out a conference foe by double digits.

On Saturday, it was the UT Martin Skyhawks falling victim to Gov star Terry Taylor, whose 32 points led APSU to an 82-63 victory.

The first half was actually close; the Governors and Skyhawks traded the lead and tied four times before APSU took a 40-35 advantage into the break.

Austin Peay’s first-half defensive effort did not satisfy coach Matt Figger, and he let his team know.

“I was really happy in the second half the way we came out and answered the challenge, because those guys got challenged at halftime,” Figger said. “We came out and we played some suffocating defense in the second half.”

As a result, the Skyhawks were held to just 28 points and did not make a field goal in the first 10 minutes of the second half. That defense became offense for the Governors, who had extended their lead from five points to 17 by the time UT Martin made their its shot of the period. As usual, Taylor was the focal point offensively, notching his fourth 30-plus point game of the season.

With the effort, Taylor moved into fourth place in NCAA Division I with 23.6 points per game.

“When they went to a zone, the middle of the zone was weak,” Taylor said. “Coach and our point guard, Chino, said somebody flash the middle and just go to work. It just so happened that it would be me in the middle. They’d throw it to me, survey the canvas and either throw it out or just go score.”

Taylor’s 32 points on 70 percent shooting from the field came despite being guarded by the Skyhawks’ larger-than-usual frontcourt, including a pair of seven-footers.

Despite their opponent’s size, Figger trusted his players to execute the offense that has worked for them so far this season.

“I felt like scoring at the rim is our deal, that’s what we need to hang our hat on,” Figger said. “I was unhappy about a few jump shots taken. But we’re an inside-out team. I don’t care who we’re playing, we’re going to try and throw the ball in there and see what happens.”

Now 2-0 in the OVC, the Governors will take off for a four-game road swing. They face Tennessee Tech (3-12, 0-2 OVC) on Thursday following the conclusion of the women’s game. 

 

 

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