LJ Thomas scored a game-high 29 points, including a layup with 46 seconds to play, to help Austin Peay hang on for a 68-66 road victory over Butler on Friday night in Indianapolis.
Thomas also grabbed eight rebounds and was the only player to score in double figures for the Governors (2-0). His shot with under a minute remaining gave Austin Peay a 65-63 lead.
Patrick McCaffery scored 23 points, knocking down five 3-pointers, and grabbed eight rebounds to lead Butler (1-1). Pierre Brooks II added 13 points and seven rebounds while Finley Bizjack finished with 10 points.
McCaffery tied the score at 63-63 with 1:07 to go after hitting two free throws. He knocked down a 3-pointer with six seconds to play to cut Austin Peay’s lead to 68-66.
JaVar Daniel helped Austin Peay open a 12-point lead less than two minutes into the second half, scoring six quick points, including four off back-to-back dunks.
Butler trailed by as many as 14 early before pulling within 56-55 on a jumper by Brooks with 7:27 remaining.
The Governors are now 2-1 all-time against the Bulldogs.
McCaffery played a key role early, knocking down a couple of 3-pointers as Butler opened a 13-7 advantage a little over five minutes into the game.
The Governors answered with a 9-2 run to take back the momentum. Thomas hit a jumper for a 16-15 lead at the 12:01 mark and Sai Witt scored inside less than a minute later.
Butler led 31-24 late in the half but Austin Peay refused to fold. The Governors led 39-34 at the break, closing the half on a 12-1 run highlighted by Thomas’ 3-pointer at the buzzer.
Butler was held to just one point — a free throw by Bizjack with three seconds left — in the final 5 1/2 minutes of the first half.
–Field Level Media
