SKYHAWK WOMEN’S HOOPS CRUISES PAST SAMFORD 89-68 IN SEASON OPENER

Tuesday, November 6

Martin, Tenn.

5:30 p.m.

UT Martin

1-0

Samford

0-1

Samford

UT Martin

SKYHAWK WOMEN’S HOOPS CRUISES PAST SAMFORD 89-68 IN SEASON OPENER

11/6/2018 10:36:00 PM | Women's Basketball

Box Score Boxscore Final Book

MARTIN, Tenn. – The University of Tennessee at Martin women's basketball team got its season started off on a strong note with a dominating victory over Samford in the home opener by a final score of 89-68.

The Skyhawks (1-0) scored early and often in the contest, stringing together an 11-0 run in the opening quarter and never looking back. The squad would play 14 different players in the contest, each tabulating over seven minutes of action while forcing the action by shooting 49.2 percent from the field.

UT Martin would win or tie ever quarter of the contest while the team's fast pace offense was set up by 18 turnovers – resulting directly in 21 points – while controlling the action with 36 points in the paint. With the strong effort, the Skyhawks would hold a lead as large as 27 points late in the fourth quarter while trailing for a total of seven seconds in the contest.

Sophomore Zaire Hicks paced the squad with career-highs in both points (16) and assists (five) while tallying three steals. Preseason All-OVC selection Chelsey Perry also posted a strong outing with 11 points – including seven in the first quarter. Senior Emanye Robertson rounded out the trio in double figures with 10 points. As a team, eight different players scored at least eight points to present a balanced scoresheet.

"I thought the effort was good and the kids played hard," UT Martin head coach Kevin McMillan said. "I don't quite know how we scored because we weren't very smooth on offense but you saw glimpses of the way we want to play. Overall though, I was very pleased with the team's effort for the first game. They still aren't quite where we want them to be and we have a long way to go, but tonight was certainly something to build off of."

Samford (0-1) dropped the team's opener despite also placing three in double figures. Katie Allen led the way with 14 points off the bench while Shauntai Battle chipped in 13 points – including seven made free throws. Paige Serup rounded out the trio in double figures with 11 points.

UT Martin will return to action on Friday, Nov. 9 when playing host to regional rival Southern Illinois. Tipoff from the Kathleen and Tom Elam Center is scheduled for 6 p.m.