JACKSONVILLE, Fla. (Interstat) — In a gritty, defensive struggle where offensive rhythm was scarce, Rashaud Marshall’s interior dominance proved to be the decisive factor as Austin Peay held off a late Jacksonville rally for a 65-61 victory in ASUN Conference men’s basketball on Saturday at Jacksonville Veterans Memorial Arena.

The Governors, who led for over 38 minutes, saw a 13-point second-half advantage whittled down to a single possession in the final minute before securing the win at the free-throw line. The victory improved Austin Peay to 21-6 overall and marked its eighth consecutive win. Jacksonville fell to 10-19.

The game was characterized by stifling defense and inefficient offense from both sides. The teams combined to shoot just 5 for 29 from three-point range and 31 for 46 from the free-throw line. Austin Peay finished with an offensive rating of 106.7 points per 100 possessions, while Jacksonville managed just 100.1, underscoring the slog of a contest witnessed by 872 fans.

The most critical phase of the game came late in the second half as Jacksonville mounted its comeback. After trailing 52-41 with under eight minutes to play, the Dolphins unleashed a 17-7 run, fueled by the inside play of Allen Udemadu and the persistent scoring of Hayden Wood. Udemadu’s three-point play with 3:50 remaining cut the deficit to 59-58, sending a jolt through the home crowd and setting up a tense finish.

Austin Peay’s response, however, was anchored by its defense and its star forward. Following a media timeout, the Governors forced a crucial turnover by Jacksonville’s Allen Udemadu with 2:21 left, preserved by a held ball that gave possession back to Austin Peay. On the ensuing play, Collin Parker was fouled but missed the front end of a one-and-one, keeping the lead at a precarious 61-59.

Jacksonville had two chances to tie or take the lead in the final minute. First, Jason Thirdkill missed a three-pointer, and after an offensive rebound, Chris Lockett’s layup attempt was off the mark. Thirdkill’s follow also failed, and Austin Peay’s Collin Parker secured the defensive board with 1:23 left.

After an Austin Peay turnover, Jacksonville’s Hayden Wood missed a jumper that would have tied the game. The Governors’ Creighton Morisch grabbed the rebound and was fouled. Although he missed the free throw, the Dolphins’ final meaningful possession ended with Wood missing a driving layup with 16 seconds left. Morisch again secured the defensive rebound, and Parker was fouled. He calmly sank both free throws with 10 seconds remaining to extend the lead to 63-59, effectively sealing the outcome.

The game’s foundation was built in the first half, where Marshall established control. The 6-foot-8 forward from Blytheville, Arkansas, scored 16 of his game-high 26 points before halftime, relentlessly attacking the paint. His effort helped Austin Peay build a 33-28 lead at the break despite the team’s own shooting woes, as the Governors connected on only 3 of 16 attempts from beyond the arc for the game.

Jacksonville, which never led after the opening minutes, was kept afloat by Wood. The 6-foot-4 guard from Springdale, Arkansas, scored a team-high 22 points, including 12 in the second half as he tried to will the Dolphins to an upset. Donovan Rivers provided a first-half spark off the bench with eight quick points, but Jacksonville’s offense was hampered by eight turnovers and only three assists as a team.

Austin Peay’s Parker, a 6-foot-8 forward from Montgomery City, Missouri, provided crucial all-around play with 14 points, six assists and five rebounds. Ja’Corey Robinson added 10 points for the Governors, who dominated points in the paint, 40-34, and scored 10 points off Jacksonville turnovers compared to the Dolphins’ four.

Jacksonville’ defense was active, blocking five shots, with Thirdkill recording two. But the Dolphins could not overcome a 42.1% shooting performance from the field and their own struggles from distance, finishing 2 of 13 on three-pointers.

The win continues a strong conference run for Austin Peay, which entered the game with a projected 75.4% win probability by the Interstat ELO system. Jacksonville, meanwhile, saw its two-game winning streak snapped.

Austin Peay next hosts Central Arkansas on Wednesday. Jacksonville is scheduled to play Stetson at home on Thursday.