Austin Peay State University - Yearbook (Clarksville, TN)

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130 THE PEAY AND THE PAUPER Governors claim riches along road to 24- 4 record; but when post-season tourney invitations were handed out, APSU was still holding out its tin cup. by Doug Vance Years from now when sports historians explore the 1976-77 Ohio Valley Conference basket- ball season, their initial observa- tion will inevitably focus on Austin Peay. Coach Lake Kelly, heading the program for his sixth season, as- sembled a talent conglomerate that drew respect from through- out the league as the Governors were picked in a pre-season coaches poll as conference favor- ites. Kelly displayed his promising squad for the tirst time against the touring Venezuelan Nationals at the Dunn Center in a pre-sea- son exhibition contest and the Governors hit nearly 56 per cent and took a 115-59 final advan- tage. Austin Peay failed to reflect im- pressive play, however, through- out much of the non-conference regular season schedule. The team record indicated success 00-h, but Kelly recognized that something was lacking. Consider: The Governors tripped Belmont by just seven. fell to Florida State by 11 in one of their few impres- sive early season performances, nipped Old Dominion in overtime, had to come from behind to edge Tennessee State by one, slid past Armstrong State by three, trimmed Stetson in a come-from- behind effort by two in overtime and managed just a three point final advantage over Madison Col- lege. Perhaps the one contest in non- conference action that offered a hint of Austin Peay's potential came in Tulsa where the Gover- nors upset Oral Roberts 80-76. Not only was the Oral Roberts win significant for the APSU bas- ketball program, it also opened the door for Kelly to accept the head coaching job there when a vacancy developed at the sea- son's conclusion. Austin Peay extended its re- cord to 11-1 when it opened OVC play with an unimpressive six point win over Eastern Kentucky. Top - Otis Dr. 0. Howard operates one-handed against Murray State's Mike Muff in semi-final action of the OVC Tour- nament in the Dunn Center. Far Right - Dennis Pagan Iobs a pass toward center Ralph Garner in an early season 86-71 win over Pikeville. Center - Julibant Gov bench exudes enthusiasm during APSU's 99-88 victory at Murray State. Right - Head coach Lake Kelly gives instructions to his team in a huddle during champion- ship - clinching victory over Western Kentucky in Bowling Green.

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DEFENSE AGAINST TECH - Austin Peay's defense was on the field quite often as the Governors fell to Tennessee Tech in 1976. AII-OVC selection Terry McCabe 67 in dark uniforme developed into one of the best linebackers in Governor history.

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