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Austin Peay Governors Basketball renews rivalry with the Tennessee State Tigers Monday night

Austin Peay Governors vs. Tennessee State
Monday, January 16th, 2012 | Tipoff: 7:30pm (CT)
Clarksville, TN | Arena: Winfield Dunn Center (7,257)

Austin Peay State University GovernorsClarksville, TN – Austin Peay will conclude its three-game weekend homestand when it plays host to Tennessee State, 7:30 pm, Monday, in Ohio Valley Conference at Dave Aaron Arena.

The Governors are coming off a tight victory Saturday. After owning a 10-point lead with 5:01 left, APSU needed a field goal and two free throws from Jerome Clyburn in the final 30 seconds to hold off Jacksonville State, 60-57.

Austin Peay Basketball. (Courtesy: Keith Dorris/Dorris Photography)
Austin Peay Basketball. (Courtesy: Keith Dorris/Dorris Photography)

The Governors come in Monday with a 2-3 OVC mark and a victory would allow them to take momentum with them on the road next weekend in their travels to SIU Edwardsville, Thursday, and Eastern Illinois, Saturday.

Melvin Baker led the Govs’ balanced attack with 12 points against JSU while Josh Terry added 10, including a perfect six-for-six night from the free-throw line.

About Tennessee State

Tennessee State TigersTennessee State comes in seeking its first OVC road win after rallying to defeat SIU Edwardsville, 52-49, Saturday night. The Tigers are 3-3 in the OVC and 10-9 overall.

Preseason All-OVC selection Robert Covington continues to do it all for the Tigers, averaging 17.6 ppg, shooting 45.2 percent from three-point range, while grabbing 7.8 rpg.

Guard Patrick Miller is averaging 11.7 ppg while newcomer Jordan Cyphers is at 8.5 ppg.

Tennessee State returns much of its 2009-10 team but has added an impressive array of newcomers, led by Cyphers and forward Kellen Thornton.

Governors Pardon

  • This is Austin Peay’s 80th season of basketball.
  • Dave Loos, APSU’s all-time winningest basketball coach, also is the OVC’s all-time wins leader with 356 victories. He also has 438 career coaching wins.
  • The Dave Aaron Arena playing floor was named Dave Loos Court, Summer 2007. Loos is believed to be one of only three current Division I men’s coaches who are coaching on courts that bear their respective names–Duke’s Mike Krzyzewski and Syracuse’s Jim Boeheim–are the other two. Valparaiso’s Homer Drew, who retired after the 2010-11 season, had the floor named after him last season.
  • Since 1993-94, Austin Peay has finished no worse than fifth in the OVC standings.
  • Austin Peay has reached at least the OVC tournament semifinals in 13 of the last 17 years.
  • Austin Peay has made 27 straight appearances in the OVC tournament.

What You Should Know

The Series: This is the 68th meeting between the two Ohio Valley Conference rivals, Austin Peay and Tennessee State, with the Governors leading the series 42-25. The two split last season’s two meetings, Austin Peay losing 76-74 in Nashville, January 15th, 2011, before winning in Clarksville, February 12th, 79-64.

Deeper Meanings

What A Win Would Mean: The Govs would gain their sixth 2011-12 victory…it would be the Govs’ third straight win…they would improve to 6-13….it would make the Govs 3-1 in January…it would make the Govs 3-1 in the 2012 portion of the schedule…it would be APSU’s third OVC home win and fifth overall home victory this season… it would allow the Govs to improve their OVC mark to 3-3..it would improve Dave Loos to 29-16 against Tennessee State…it would improve Dave Loos to 3-2 against current TSU coach John Cooper…it would be Loos’ 439th career coaching victory and his 357th APSU win.

What A Loss Would Mean: The Govs would fall to 5-14 on the season…APSU would slip to 2-4 in the OVC…the Govs would fall to 4-4 at home this season…it would drop APSU to 16-2 all-time in the series…it would be TSU’s first win in the Dunn Center under coach John Cooper…it would be head coach Dave Loos’ 357th career loss and 304th Austin Peay defeat.

Low Ball

In the Govs’ 60-57 win against Jacksonville State, Saturday, the 60 points was APSU’s lowest victory point total this season, 12 lower than the 72 it in a 72-50 win versus Rochester, December 17th.

Shooting Pain

The Govs finished the victory against Jacksonville State shooting 43.8 percent from the floor, marking the first time this season in 11 games where the Govs won after shooting less than 45 percent from the floor.

Board-Um

When Austin Peay out-rebounded JSU 33-29, Saturday night, it marked the sixth time in the Govs last seven games they won the rebounding battle. In fact, the Govs are out-rebounding the opponent in OVC play by a 4.6 margin.

Free-Throw Up-Tick

When the Govs made 15 of 19 free throws that 78.9 percent, was their best free throw percentage since making 7 of 8 at California for 87.5 percent in the season’s second game. It also was the fourth time in OVC five games Austin Peay shot better than 70 percent. A 67.1 percent free-throw shooting team overall this season, the Govs are shooting 72.2 percent in league play.

Making Most Of Opportunities

Austin Peay won for the first time this season Saturday night against Jacksonville State where they had fewer free throw
attempts (20-19) than its opponent.

Three Doors Down

The Govs’ threepoint victory (60-57) against Jacksonville State was the 30th time in coach Dave Loss’ career where his team won by that margin – the most victories by any point total. His record in three-point games is now 30-23.

Block Buster

Senior John Fraley blocked three shots versus Jacksonville State, giving him 108 in his career and moved him past Adrian Henning into third place all-time by himself.

Low High

Senior Melvin Baker led the Govs with 12 points against Jacksonville State. Those 12 points were the fewest point total for a Govs leading scorer in a game this year.

Free Throw Perfection

Josh TerryAgainst Jacksonville State senior Josh Terry tied his single-game best from the free-throw line, finishing six-for-six, matching his effort at Eastern Kentucky, December 27th.

An overall 65.5 percent free-throw shooter for the season, the 6-5 Terry is shooting 76.5 percent (26 of 34) during OVC play.

Baker’s Dozen

Melvin BakerSenior forward Melvin Baker has scored in double figures in 12 of the last 13 games.

He is averaging 13.7 ppg, shooting 52.8 percent from the floor during that span while pulling down 7.4 rpg.

Three Extreme

The Governors remain unranked nationally in three-point percentage as a result of needing an average of 5.0 makes per game. The Govs are averaging just 3.9 makes per game, including just three, Saturday against Jacksonville State.

Doubling Up

John FraleyIn five OVC games, APSU center John Fraley is averaging a double-double, 12.4 ppg and 10.0 rpg.

His rebound figure is the tops during league play, with Fraley being the only OVC player averaging double figures in rebounds.

Dime Thrower

TyShwan EdmondsonGuard TyShwan Edmondson, APSU’s scoring leader, attempted a season-low five shots in scoring six points against Eastern Kentucky and took only five more shots in scoring seven points versus Jacksonville State.

However, the 6-3 senior led the Govs in assists in both games, dishing out six against Eastern Kentucky and three more Saturday against Jacksonville State.

Herd(ie) Mentality

Herdie LawrenceFreshman guard Herdie Lawrence scored eight points against Eastern Kentucky, his most offensive production since the season’s second game at California when he tallied 10 points. However, Lawrence’s offense was overshadowed by his defense.

In the final nine minutes, The 6-0 Lawrence, despite a height disadvantage, held EKU leading scorer Jaron Jones to just two points after the 6-5 forward scored 15 points previously. He matched that scoring output again on Saturday against Jacksonville State, including a three pointer.

Taking Care

In the last four games, Austin Peay has committed a total of 47 turnovers (11.75 average), including 12 against  Jacksonville State, Saturday. In the two games prior to the Morehead State loss, the Govs committed a total of 34 turnovers.

Line-Up Shuffle

Jerome ClyburnLooking for answers to recent struggles, Austin Peay used different lineups numbers eight and nine during the OVC-opening weekend at Eastern Kentucky. At Morehead State, the Govs started Jerome Clyburn and TyShwan Edmondson in the backcourt, with Josh Terry and Melvin Baker at forward along with John Fraley at center.

The Govs also used that same starting lineup the last three games. APSU used seven different lineups for the entire 2010-11 season.

Streak Ends

When Austin Peay defeated Eastern Kentucky, Thursday night, it gave APSU a 1-3 league start, ending their worst conference start since the 1992-93 team began 0-9.

Warming Up

On a cold, icy night outside, Thursday, the Governors warmed up with their best offensive night of the season against
Eastern Kentucky. The Governors scored their most points during regulation (80) and shot a season-best 60.4 percent (29 of 48) from the floor.

Big Bad John

John FraleySenior center John Fraley matched his career high with 25 points against Eastern Kentucky–he also scored 25 against Jacksonville State a year ago.

His 10 field goals made in the game also matched his career best set in that JSU road game a year ago.

In addition, he grabbed 12 rebounds against the Colonels, his second double-double this season. In two games against the Colonels this season, Fraley is averaging 20 points and 13 rebounds per game.

Clearing The Bench

In defeating Eastern Kentucky, Thursday night, Austin Peay was able to play all Govs who were dressed for the game–14 were dressed and played against the Colonels.

Starting Block

With Austin Peay utilizing nine different starting lineups this season only senior forward/guard Josh Terry has started all 17 games this season.

Next Game

Austin Peay Governors at SIU Edwardsville Cougars
7:00pm, Thursday, January 19th

SIU Edwardsville CougarsGovs to play newcomer SIUE for first time It has been a long transition for SIU Edwardsville from Division II to Division I. SIUE joined the OVC in 2008, but this is the first season competing as a basketball member. The Cougars got off to a flying start, winning three of their first four OVC games, including an impressive home win against Tennessee Tech.

Jerome Jones (13.1 ppg), who is averaging 6.4 rpg, and Mark Yelovich (12.8 ppg), lead the SIUE attack. Freshman guard Kris Davis (12.3 ppg) is one of the OVC’s best three-point shooters. Lennox Forrester, who has led SIUE in the transition to Division I, in his fifth season as head coach.

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