OVC Provides First Shock of the Madness

(St. Louis, MO) – It’s March, so we expect upsets, Cinderellas and excitement. Austin Peay and the Ohio Valley Conference have provided the first thrill of the madness season, as the eighth seeded Governors upset number 5 Tennessee Tech 92-72.

The Governors had to win their final two games just to qualify for Music City Madness and Wednesday night they proved they belonged with the big boys of the OVC.

Senior Chris Horton scored a career high 37 points and grabbed 21 rebounds suggesting he and not Evan Bradds, deserved to be the league’s Player of the Year. All Horton did this season was lead the league in scoring and rebounding. He was eighth nationally in rebounding and fourth in double-doubles.

Tennessee Tech (19-11) was one of the exciting stories of the OVC season, but their stay in Nashville came to an abrupt end as Horton and the Governors connected on over 54% of their shots, and out rebounded the Golden Eagles 45-32.

APSU Head Coach Dave Loos said his team has been in play off mode for two or three week and said his team’s leading scorer had a special night.

“Chris was of course dominant on the the inside, and I thought his teammates did a great job of getting him the basketball where he could get something done with it,” said Loos. “In addition to that, he got a bunch of basketballs himself on the boards.”

Austin Peay last appeared in the OVC tournament in 2012, so it was Horton’s first appearance in the madness of postseason tournament action. “It was real fun. It was a great experience, I liked the atmosphere,” he said. “Once the ball went in the air, I was kind of nervous before, but once we started playing everything just played like a normal game.”

APSU plays fourth seeded Tennessee State (20-9) tonight.

In Wednesday’s other opening round game, sixth seeded Murray State (17-13) defeated Eastern Illinois (13-17) by a final score of 78-62. The Racers meet third seeded Morehead State (18-11) tonight.

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