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HomeSportsAustin Peay State University Women's Basketball picked ninth in OVC preseason poll

Austin Peay State University Women’s Basketball picked ninth in OVC preseason poll

APSU Sports Information

APSU Women's Basketball - Austin Peay State UniversityBrentwood, TN – Austin Peay State University women’s basketball team was picked to finish ninth in the Ohio Valley Conference preseason poll, as voted on by the league’s head coaches and sports information representatives.

Reigning OVC Tournament champion Belmont received 21 of 24 first-place votes in being picked the favorite with 241 points.

Austin Peay State University opens 2016-2017 season in home exhibition match against Kentucky Wesleyan. (APSU Sports Information)
Austin Peay State University opens 2016-2017 season in home exhibition match against Kentucky Wesleyan. (APSU Sports Information)

UT Martin, who won the regular-season title in 2015-16, came in second (220 points, one first-place vote), followed by Eastern Kentucky in third (190 points, two first-place votes).

Rounding out the rankings were SIU Edwardsville (160 points), Murray State and Southeast Missouri (146), Tennessee State (138), Jacksonville State (90), Austin Peay (82), Morehead State (75), Tennessee Tech (70) and Eastern Illinois (26).

“I’m not surprised with the order of teams,” head coach David Midlick said. “There are a lot of good teams and not a whole lot was lost from last season. Good players and good coaches are going to make for a competitive league.

“All we can control right now is ourselves in each day we practice. I like our team, I like their attitude and I like how hard they worked in the summer and fall. We’re excited to play in a few weeks.”

The Governors reached the postseason in 2015-16 following an eight-win OVC campaign in David Midlick‘s first year as APSU coach, only to be eliminated by EKU in the opening round. However, Austin Peay returns four starters and eight letter winners from last season, led by a strong senior class consisting of Tearra Banks, Beth Rates, April Rivers and Jacey Scott.

Banks returns as Austin Peay’s leading scorer, coming off a season in which she totaled 12 points and 4.2 rebounds per contest, despite averaging 15 minutes a game. The senior also led the Ohio Valley Conference and was fifth nationally with a 59.8 field goal percentage. Rates will serve as a versatile front court player, while the guard play led by redshirt sophomore Falon Baker – who was the team’s most efficient three-point shooter last season (37.5 percent) – will be key.

“At point guard, we have April, Bri Williams and Shelbe Piggie, and we have to have production from all three of them,” Midlick said. “That spot is up for grabs, and we need someone there who will be the head of our defense. They need to protect the ball and get us into an offense, and just as important as that, we need someone who will keep the team together.”

Five newcomers will be featured on Austin Peay’s roster, including JUCO transfers in Ant’Treasia Patton and Williams. In addition, three freshmen will make their collegiate debuts as Midlick welcomes Nieja Crawford, Arielle Gonzalez-Varner and Piggie to the team.

“I like how hard they’ve worked in these five weeks,” Midlick said. “They’ve had a good attitude and have gotten better each week. I’m excited to see how they respond when games begin.”

Austin Peay opens its schedule with five consecutive home games, beginning November 7th with a 7:00pm, exhibition contest against Kentucky Wesleyan.

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