You ever walk into a gym and just feel the air get heavy? That’s Clarksville lately. Honestly, if you haven’t been paying attention to Austin Peay Governors women's basketball over the last few months, you’re missing the most chaotic, defensive-minded, and strangely resilient team in the Atlantic Sun. They don’t just play basketball; they turn it into a 40-minute wrestling match where the ball just happens to be involved.
People look at the record—11-4 overall as of mid-January 2026—and think they’ve got it figured out. "Oh, they're just a solid mid-major team." Wrong.
This squad is currently doing something that shouldn't statistically work. They are 8-0 on the road. Read 그 that again. Eight and zero. They haven't lost a single game away from F&M Bank Arena, yet they’ve stumbled three times on their own home floor. It’s weird. It defies the "home-court advantage" logic we’ve all been sold since middle school. But that's the thing about Brittany Young’s program. They thrive when everyone is screaming at them.
The Brittany Young Blueprint
Coach Brittany Young is in her fifth season now, and she’s basically built a defensive factory in Clarksville. When she took over in 2021, the goal was clear: athleticism over everything. You can see it in the way they guard the perimeter. They don't just "stay in front" of players. They live in their jerseys.
Right now, Austin Peay is holding opponents to around 56 points per game. That’s top-tier. In a game against Bellarmine just a few days ago, they held the Knights to a measly 39 points. Thirty-nine! Most high school teams score more than that on a bad Tuesday. It’s not just about height, either. It’s about a relentless, annoying, "we will not let you breathe" style of play that wears teams down by the third quarter.
✨ Don't miss: When Was the MLS Founded? The Chaotic Truth About American Soccer's Rebirth
Who’s Actually Carrying the Load?
If you're looking for the engine, look no further than Anovia Sheals. She’s a sophomore who plays like she’s 25. She leads the team in scoring at nearly 14 points a clip, but it’s the consistency that kills you. She has reached double figures in 13 of her 15 games.
Then you have Veronaye Charlton. She’s the spark plug. When the offense gets stagnant—which, let's be real, it does sometimes—Charlton finds a way to get to the rim. She’s shooting nearly 49% from the floor, which is absurd for a guard of her size.
The Rotation That Makes No Sense (But Works)
- Jim’Miyah Branton: The freshman phenom. She’s already dishing out over 3 assists a game and has a "nose for the ball" that you can't teach.
- Lameria Thomas: The muscle. She’s grabbing nearly 7 rebounds a game and doing all the "dirty work" that doesn't show up in a TikTok highlight reel.
- Mya Williams: The designated sniper. She leads the team in threes. If you leave her open at the top of the key, just start heading back on defense.
The F&M Bank Arena Factor
It’s still weird not seeing them at the Winfield Dunn Center. The "Dunn" was iconic—over seven stories tall, a total relic of 1970s architecture that felt like a dungeon for visiting teams. But the move to F&M Bank Arena has changed the vibe. It’s sleek. It’s downtown. It seats 5,500.
But here is the catch: because it's a newer, more "professional" environment, the atmosphere is different. Maybe that explains why they’ve struggled at home? The "Battle of the Border" loss to Murray State in December was a gut punch for the local fans. Watching the Racers celebrate on that brand-new court... man, that stung.
🔗 Read more: Navy Notre Dame Football: Why This Rivalry Still Hits Different
Austin Peay Governors Women's Basketball: What Most People Get Wrong
The biggest misconception is that this team is "rebuilding" because they’re in a relatively new conference (ASUN). They aren't. They’re reloading. They just signed four new players for the 2026-27 season, including Brilee Price, a 1,000-point scorer from Smyrna. They are thinking three steps ahead while other teams are still trying to figure out their current rotation.
The ASUN is a gauntlet. You have FGCU (the perennial giants) and EKU looking like world-beaters. Currently, the Govs are sitting 4th in the conference with a 3-2 mark. They just dropped two heartbreakers at home to FGCU and Stetson. Both games were winnable. Both games came down to a few missed free throws and a couple of "what were we thinking?" turnovers.
But don't let those losses fool you. They are the only team in the conference with an undefeated road record. If you’re a betting person, you want Austin Peay playing in someone else’s gym.
The Road Ahead
The schedule doesn't get any easier. They have a massive rematch coming up at FGCU on January 22. That’s the game. If they can go into Fort Myers and steal a win, the narrative changes from "scrappy contender" to "conference favorite."
💡 You might also like: LeBron James Without Beard: Why the King Rarely Goes Clean Shaven Anymore
They have the defense. They have the rebounding (out-boarding opponents by 10 per game). They just need to find that offensive "closer" when the clock hits two minutes in the fourth quarter.
Honestly, the Austin Peay Governors women's basketball team is the heart of Clarksville sports right now. There’s a grit there that mirrors the city. They aren't flashy. They don't have a 6'6" center blocking everything. They just have a bunch of guards and wings who will dive on a loose ball like it's a gold bar.
How to Watch and Support
- Go to the games: If you’re in Middle Tennessee, get to F&M Bank Arena. The seats are cushioned now—no more bleacher backaches.
- ESPN+ is your friend: Almost every ASUN game is streamed there.
- Watch the glass: Keep an eye on the rebounding margin. If the Govs are winning the boards, they are winning the game. It's that simple.
If you want to follow the rest of the season, pay attention to the turnovers. They average about 17 a game, which is... high. If Coach Young can get that number down to 12 or 13, this team isn't just an ASUN contender; they’re a legitimate threat to make some noise in the big tournament in March.
Stay tuned to the local Clarksville feeds or the official "LetsGoPeay" site for roster updates, especially as they integrate those new freshmen like McKenzie Neal into bigger roles down the stretch. The talent is there. The coaching is there. Now, they just need to protect their home court as well as they've protected the road.
Actionable Insight: Keep a close eye on the January 22nd matchup at FGCU. This is the ultimate litmus test for the Governors' "road warrior" identity and will likely determine their seeding for the ASUN tournament.