Austin Peay State University - Yearbook (Clarksville, TN)

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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.

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There were a few tears and a lot of people left the Dunn Center shaking their heads as Middle Tennessee dominated second- half play and downed the upstart Governors 77-65 and earned the right to represent the OVC in NCAA play. Perhaps the most frustrating aspect of the 1976-77 teamis ef- fort was its lack of national atten- tion. Austin Peay's 24-4 record ranked as one of the 12 best na- tionally, yet the Governors failed to penetrate the wire service top 20 and when the NCAA and NIT passed out at-Iarge bids for their post-season tournaments, Kelly and his hopeful squad were ig- nored. In retrospect, however, there are many happy moments to re- member. The final record repre- sents the best in the school's his- tory and its 13-1 conference mark is the best in seven years. Above Left - Calvin Garrett sets up to take a charge from Florida State's James Smith, and Far Right both players fall to the floor with Gary Greene coming down on top of them. Smith was whistled with the foul, but the Seminoles still beat the Govs in Tallahassee 97-86, APSU's only loss in its first 12 starts. Right - Senior Juan Smith looks inside for the open man during win over Pikeville. It was also a team of records. All told, eight new installations were made under the school list- ing and three brand new OVC marks went in the record books. Norman Jackson claimed the honor as the top assist man in Austin Peay and OVC history as he set school and conference marks for season and career. Howard and Garrett collected their share of honors. Howard was named AII-OVC and HPlayer of the Year in the conference and was included on the District 3A United States Basketball Writ-