First-Place Govs Begin River City Stay with Thursday Matchup Against Ospreys

Austin Peay basketball team travels to Jacksonville, Florida to face North Florida in Atlantic Sun Conference contest

Published on Feb. 20, 2026

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The Austin Peay State University basketball team, currently atop the Atlantic Sun Conference standings, travels to Jacksonville, Florida to face the North Florida Ospreys in a 6 p.m. (CT) Thursday matchup. The Governors, led by the reigning Lou Henson Award National Player of the Week Collin Parker, have won 8 straight and 15 of their last 16 games. Parker is averaging 18 points per game this season and is coming off a career-high 39-point performance. Austin Peay and North Florida have met 11 times, with the Governors holding an 8-3 advantage in the series.

Why it matters

This game is crucial for Austin Peay as they look to maintain their lead atop the Atlantic Sun Conference standings. The Governors have been one of the hottest teams in the league, winning 15 of their last 16 games, and a victory over North Florida would further solidify their position at the top. For North Florida, this is an opportunity to pick up a signature win against the conference leaders and improve their standing in the ASUN.

The details

Austin Peay (19-6, 13-1 ASUN) is led by Collin Parker, the reigning Lou Henson Award National Player of the Week. Parker is averaging 18 points, 8 rebounds, and 2.5 assists per game this season, and is coming off a career-high 39-point performance. Freshman Zyree Collins is also a key contributor for the Governors, averaging 14 points, 4.3 assists, and 2.1 steals per game. North Florida (3-22, 1-13 ASUN) has struggled this season, but picked up their first Division I win of the year against North Alabama on January 5th. The Ospreys have lost their last three games, all on the road.

  • The game is scheduled for Thursday, February 18, 2026 at 6 p.m. CT.
  • Austin Peay and North Florida have met 11 times, with the Governors holding an 8-3 advantage in the series.

The players

Collin Parker

The reigning Lou Henson Award National Player of the Week, Parker is averaging 18 points, 8 rebounds, and 2.5 assists per game this season for Austin Peay.

Zyree Collins

A freshman for Austin Peay, Collins is averaging 14 points, 4.3 assists, and 2.1 steals per game this season.

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What’s next

Austin Peay will remain in Jacksonville, Florida to face the Jacksonville Dolphins in a 6 p.m. Saturday contest.

The takeaway

This game is a crucial test for the first-place Austin Peay Governors as they look to maintain their lead atop the Atlantic Sun Conference standings. A win over North Florida would further solidify their position at the top of the league, while a loss could open the door for other teams to catch up. The Governors' high-powered offense, led by Collin Parker, will be put to the test against the struggling Ospreys.