MOREHEAD, Ky. -If it is Austin Peay and Morehead State, a close game almost is assured.
Three of the last four games have been decided in overtime, including the Dec. 21 battle won by the Govs, 86-85, in Clarksville. Last year's game at Ellis T. Johnson Arena was decided in overtime. That will be the site of Saturday's 6:15 p.m. clash.
Morehead State enters the Ohio Valley Conference game with momentum after bouncing back from last Saturday's disappointing defeat to Eastern Kentucky. The Eagles came right back with a key road victory at Ball State and then came from behind to defeat Tennessee State, 72-65, Thursday night.
When talking about defeated Morehead State it starts with the nation's leading rebounder, Kenneth Faried, who is averaging 14.2 rpg to go with 17.1 ppg. He is coming off a dominating 23-point, 23-rebound effort against Tennessee State. He is averaging 15.5 rpg during league play. He was the recent subject of a Sports Illustrated feature.
But the Governors also will have a conscience eye focused on 6-4 guard Demonte Harper, who had 34 points against the Governors back in December. He is averaging 15.9 ppg, shooting 40.6 percent from three-point territory. Harper has connected on 41 three pointers this season as has guard Terrance Hill.
After the Eagles recent stumble against Eastern Kentucky, Drew Kelly was inserted into the starting lineup. The 6-8 grandson of the late Lake Kelly, the former Governors head coach, Drew Kelly is averaging 5.0 ppg and 3.9 rpg since satisfying transfer rules in early December.
The Governors, meanwhile, currently sit alone atop the OVC at 8-2 in the OVC and 14-8 overall. They are coming off a 61-52 victory at Eastern Kentucky, Thursday night, which saw the Govs open the second half on an 11-0 run to erase a six-point halftime deficit. The contest was a grind-it-out half-court affair that saw the Govs defense clamp down on the Colonels in the second half.
John Fraley scored 14 points and grabbed nine rebounds while forward Josh Terry also had 14 points to go with six assists and four steals.
It was APSU's seventh road victory this season.
-AP-
