On Wednesday, February 25, 2026, the F&M Bank Arena in Clarksville, TN, will host an intriguing college basketball matchup as the Austin Peay Governors (21-6) take on the Central Arkansas Bears (18-11). The game is set to air on ESPN+.
The Central Arkansas Bears recently faced Florida Gulf Coast, suffering a close defeat with a final score of 75-71. In that game, the Bears had 13 personal fouls while Florida Gulf Coast committed 17. Central Arkansas struggled from beyond the arc, hitting only 27% of their three-point attempts with 8 successful shots out of 30 tries. Despite the loss, the Bears demonstrated their free-throw accuracy, converting 14 of 18 attempts for an impressive 77.8%. Notably, Camren Hunter stood out for the Bears, scoring 24 points and grabbing 6 rebounds, showcasing his importance on the court.
Currently, the Bears are averaging 80 points per game, which places them 96th in Division I college basketball. They are shooting 45.2% from the field and 34.3% from three-point range while bringing down an average of 36.6 rebounds per game, which reflects their competitiveness this season. Their recent games have shown a defensive struggle, allowing opponents to shoot 44.5% and averaging 73.8 points against them.
In their last outing, the Austin Peay Governors secured a victory against Jacksonville, winning 65-61. They displayed strong rebounding with a total of 32 boards, including 21 defensive and 11 offensive rebounds. Their shooting left something to be desired, particularly from the three-point line, where they managed only 18.8%. Nevertheless, they found success at the charity stripe with a 60.9% free-throw percentage, converting 14 out of 23 attempts. Rashaud Marshall led the way for the Governors with an outstanding 26-point performance, demonstrating his offensive prowess and efficiency.
As the season progresses, the Governors have shown a solid offense with an average of 81.2 points per game and a shooting percentage of 46.5%. However, defensively, they rank moderately well, allowing 70.9 points per game and often forcing opponents into turnovers.
Both teams will be looking to improve their postseason positioning when they meet, making this matchup crucial for their respective campaigns. With momentum on their side from recent performances, the Governors appear to have a slight edge, but Central Arkansas will be eager to bounce back and prove their mettle in a competitive landscape.
The anticipation builds as fans await this exciting encounter between the Bears and Governors, where every possession will count.