CLARKSVILLE, Tenn. – In a close game throughout, Austin Peay held off Ohio 71-67 on Friday night at FM Bank Arena.

The Governors (7-7) led most of the way but never by much. Their biggest advantage was eight at 36-28 late in the first half, and the largest lead of the second half was 38-32 when Austin Peay scored out of the break.

Ohio (6-5) had a chance to tie late. Shareef Mitchell scored and was fouled but missed the free throw, leaving the score at 67-65. With 1:03 remaining, Demarcus Sharpe split two free throws. Miles Brown missed a 3-pointer, and then Isaac Haney split two foul shots for Austin Peay.

Mitchell made two from the foul line with 11 seconds left to make it 69-67, but Ja’monta Black put the game away by making twice with five seconds remaining.

Mitchell led Ohio with 14 points, while Elmore James scored 13 points and had eight rebounds. AJ Clayton tallied 12 points.

Plagued by foul trouble, Jaylin Hunter scored just eight points on 3-of-11 shooting. Aidan Hadaway had six points, 10 rebounds and five assists. In his second game back from injury, Miles Brown was just 1-of-9 shooting for three points. AJ Brown missed his second game in a row.

Sharp paced the Governors with 21 points. Haney scored 14 points. Black and Denzi Jones each scored 11 points.

Austin Peay shot it much better, going 25 of 52 (48%), compared to Ohio at 21 of 56 (38%), but the Bobcats stayed in it by going 17 of 21 at the foul line and by grabbing 13 offensive rebounds.

The Bobcats wrap up nonconference play by taking on Davidson at 1:30 p.m. Dec. 30 at Rocket Mortgage FieldHouse in Cleveland.