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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THE PEAY IUHD THE RAUPER Temperatures dipped below zero and several inches of snow and ice blanketed the rolling hill- side in Morehead two nights later as the Governors prepared to in- vade the already uncomfortable surroundings in Weatherby Gym- nasium where Austin Peay has a long history of problems. Kelly watched in frustration as his talented team played poorly and fell to a spirited Morehead team by four. The Morehead loss, Kelly would later say, acted as a Hslap in the face as Austin Peay finally start- ed living up to its expectations. Kelly's weII-synchronized ma- chine rambled past its next 12 conference victims and captured its third OVC championship in the past five years. Along the way several heros surfaced. During one six game pe- riod in crucial OVC play, 6-7 Otis Howard dominated the action. Howard averaged nearly 25 points and on three different oc- cassions pulled off 15 or more re- bounds. Calvin Garrett, held be- low double figures just once dur- ing the regular season, was a sig- nificant force during conference play with his consistent scoring and defensive effort. Disaster struck in the final OVC Tournament contest as an im- pressive performance by Middle Tennessee concluded the Gover- nors' success story on a sour note. Twice during the regular season Austin Peay conquered their archrival as the stage was set for the final showdown at the Dunn Center. Top 2 Calvin Garrett maneuvers for two points against highly regarded Old Dominion at home. The Peay scraped by the Monarchs 81-76 in overtime. Far Left - Otis Howard studies the basket before pumping up a free throw against Old Dominion. Left - Dennis Pagan calls for the ball during victory over ODU. Pagan led APSU with 22 points.