Skyhawks Look to Hand EIU First OVC Loss Thursday at Home

Date (Time): Thur., Jan. 16, 2025 (5 p.m.)
Location (Arena): Martin, Tenn. (Kathleen & Tom Elam Center)
UTM Record: 6-11, 3-3 OVC
UTM Last 5 Games: 3-2 (LWWLW)
Opponent (Record): Eastern Illinois Panthers (9-6, 6-0 OVC)
EIU Last 5 Games: 5-0 (WWWWW)
Head Coach (Alma Mater): Marqus McGlothan (St. Cloud St., 2015)
Record (Seas.) Overall/EIU: 9-6 (1^st)/Same
Radio (Talent): WCMT 100.5 FM (PxP: Chris Brinkley; Analyst: Davis Gregory)
TV/Streaming (Talent): ESPN+ (PxP: Chris Brinkley; Analyst: Davis Gregory)
UTM vs. EIU: UTM lead series 41-24

UT Martin was unable to overcome a third quarter in which it was outscored 23-11 and fell at Lindenwood Saturday, 79-73, at Hyland Arena in Saint Charles. Trailing by just six at halftime, the third was a major blow to any hopes of a comeback for the Skyhawks.
The Skyhawks shot 61.1-percent in the first half of the game, but in the third quarter were limited to just 23.5-percent by the Lions. The first half was a bad one for turnovers, as UT Martin committed nine in the opening 20 minutes, but in second off only lost the ball once. The Skyhawks rebounded in the fourth, outscoring Lindenwood 28-18, but the rally was ultimately not enough, dropping UT Martin to 6-11 overall and 3-3 in OVC play.
Shae Littleford earned 11 of her game-high 22 points at the free throw line Saturday, where she was 11-for-13. Norah Clark went 7-for-10 from the field in the game to finish with a season-high 17 points, while Kenley McCarn added 13. McCarn also lead the team in rebounds and assists with five each, while her and Littleford each had a team-high two steals.
Eastern Illinois is currently 9-6 on the season enters Thursday's match-up on a six-game win streak and undefeated in OVC play at 6-0. Macy McGlone is currently second in the OVC in scoring with 17.9 and leads the league in rebounds at 10.3 rebounds per game. The Panthers currently average 61.9 points per game on 41.2-percent shooting, while allowing 64.9 points per game on 41.8-percent shooting.
UT Martin leads the all-time series with Eastern Illinois, 41-24 overall and 23-8 in Martin. The Skyhawks have now won six of their last 10 against the Panthers, after splitting the season series last year with each team winning on the other's home court.
The Skyhawks enter Thursday with the best shooting percentage in the league and 88th in the nation at 43.5. UT Martin has shot over 40.0-percent in nine of the last 10 games, including a 50.0-plus percent in five of those games.
With nine made 3-pointers against Lindenwood, the Skyhawks have now made at least one 3-point field goal in 498 consecutive games, a streak which dates back to Feb. 3, 2009, against Austin Peay and currently, ranks 8th nationally.
With four rebounds against Lindenwood, Anaya Brown remains 12th on UT Martin's career rebounding list with 542. Brown's next targets on the list are Larissa Maciarz at 11th with 600 and current UT Martin associate head coach Jasmine Newsome at 10th with 604.

Three Skyhawks are currently making a push to join UT Martin's 1,000-point club. Currently, Anaya Brown (944), Kenley McCarn (825) and Shae Littleford (793) all have a chance to reach the career century mark this season.

Skyhawks Look to Hand EIU First OVC Loss Thursday at Home

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Players Mentioned

Anaya Brown

Norah Clark

Shae Littleford

Kenley McCarn