Austin Peay let an early 18-point lead slip away, falling 71-69 to Kennesaw State when the Owls made two free throws with 0.8 seconds left. Zyree Collins scored a game-high 23 points, but Kennesaw State’s rebounding edge helped fuel the comeback.

By the Numbers
  • Collins: 23 points, 13-of-15 from the free-throw line, four assists and five rebounds.
  • Kennesaw State outrebounded Austin Peay 49-34, including a 14-8 edge on the offensive glass.
  • The Owls scored 17 second-chance points to Austin Peay’s 6.
  • Chuck Love III matched his career high with 14 points; Felipe Minzer added 13 points and six rebounds.
Yes, But

Austin Peay showed strong early control and led by 10 with 9:25 remaining, but Kennesaw State steadily erased the deficit and won the final possession. The Govs’ 34-49 rebounding disadvantage—and the resulting second-chance points—proved costly.

State of Play
  • Austin Peay is 1-1; Kennesaw State is 2-0.
  • The Govs return home to face Livingstone on Nov. 10 at 7 p.m.
Bottom Line

Collins’ scoring kept Austin Peay in front, but the Govs couldn’t close out a game after building a commanding lead. Rebounding and second-chance defense are the clearest fixes before the home opener.