By Mike Lehman, TTU Sports Information

CLARKSVILLE, Tenn. – The Tennessee Tech men's basketball had a tough time finding its footing on offense Wednesday evening, as the Golden Eagles fell to former Ohio Valley Conference rival Austin Peay, 82-43, in Clarksville, Tenn. in a charity exhibition benefitting Operation Stand Down Tennessee.

Competing at the new F&M Bank Arena, the Governors held the purple and gold to a 27.8 field goal percentage and 15.4 3-point field goal percentage. The lack of consistent offense, as well as 20 turnovers, was too much for the Golden Eagles to overcome on the night.

Austin Peay took an early, double-digit lead while forcing five early miscues by Tech, but the Golden Eagles battled back with a seven-point run to get back in it and pull within two points. It was all Govs from that point on, as the home team ended the half with a 14-point advantage.

Tech's offensive obstacles continued into the second half, as the foes from Clarksville opened the stanza on a 10-0 run. Austin Peay found its form over the final 20 minutes, shooting 57.1 percent from the floor to pull away for good.

Marshall transfer David Early led the Tech squad with 12 points in the contest, adding a pair of assists. Off the bench, Mercer transfer David Craig tacked on nine points in 15 minutes off the bench, chipping in four boards as well. Rodney Johnson Jr. led the Golden Eagles with seven rebounds in 22 minutes of action.

The Golden Eagles will officially kick off the 2023-24 campaign on Monday, traveling to Knoxville for a 5:30 p.m. CT tilt at No. 9 Tennessee.

File photo by Jim Dillon