Skyhawks Open OVC Play at Tennessee State Thursday

Thursday, December 18

Nashville, Tenn.

5 p.m.

UT Martin

Tennessee State

Skyhawks Open OVC Play at Tennessee State Thursday

12/17/2025 2:56:00 PM | Women's Basketball

Game Notes (PDF)

Date (Time): Thur., Dec. 18, 2025 (5 p.m.)
Opponent (Record): Tennessee State Tigers (1-8, 0-0 OVC)
Head Coach: Candice Dupree (Temple '06)
Record (Seas.) Overall/TSU: 11-29 (2^nd)/Same
Location (Arena): Nashville, Tenn. (Gentry Center)
Radio: WCMT 100.5 FM (PxP: Chris Brinkley; Analyst: Davis Gregory)
TV/Streaming: ESPN+ (PxP: Spencer Boehme; Analyst: Nick Guerriero)
UTM vs. TSU: UTM leads series 41-32

The University of Tennessee at Martin women's basketball team recorded 50-plus rebounds for the first time since 2018, had all 12 active Skyhawks score and saw six players reach double-digits all in a 98-45 win over Champion Christian Sunday at the Kathleen & Tom Elam Center in Martin. Yar Tong led six Skyhawks in double-figures with a career-high 17 points, while Zy Thompson followed with 12. Sidni Middleton and Kenley McCarn had 11 each, with Brittani Wells and Kennedy Horton following at 10. On the boards, Thompson and Horton each had a game-high seven, while Wells and Middleton had seven and six assists, respectively.
Kenley McCarn and Zy Thompson currently lead the Skyhawks with 13.4 points per game, while Grace Billington and Brittani Wells follow at 8.2 and 8.0, respectively. On the boards, Thompson leads UT Martin with 6.9 rebounds per game, while Well leads in assists at 3.7 and Sidni Middleton in steals at 2.3. As a team, the Skyhawks are averaging 67.1 points and 37.6 rebounds per game, while their opponents average 60.6 and 41.1. They are currently shooting 41.6-percent from the field, 29.9-percent from 3-point range and 69.5-percent at the free throw line.
Tennessee State is currently 1-8 on the season and is currently on a four-game skid. The Tigers currently average 57.1 points per game, while allowing 80.8. Tennessee State is shooting 35.3-percent from the floor, 23.9-percent from 3-point range and 61.0-percent from the free throw line. On the boards, the Tigers average 36.0 rebounds per game, while giving up 40.9.
Aaniya Webb leads the Tigers in scoring on the season with 13.1 points per game, with Somah Kamara following at 9.3. Kiki Roberts is Tennessee State's leading rebounder this season with 8.0 boards per game, while Xai Whitfield leads in assists at 2.0 per game.
Thursday will be the 74th meeting between UT Martin and Tennessee State with the Skyhawks leading the all-time series, 41-32. In Nashville, however, it is the Tigers that lead the series by six games, 21-15.
The Skyhawks have made a 3-point field goal in 521 consecutive games, a streak which dates back to Feb. 3, 2009 against Austin Peay and ranks seventh nationally.
Kenley McCarn has scored 10 or more points in each of the Skyhawks' nine games this season. She is averaging 13.4 points on the year and has scored 10 or more points in 18 of her last 20 games.
Tennessee State is currently 1-8 on the season and is on a four-game skid. The Tigers currently average 57.1 points per game, while allowing 80.8. Tennessee State is shooting 35.3-percent from the floor, 23.9-percent from 3-point range and 61.0-percent from the free throw line. On the boards, the Tigers average 36.0 rebounds per game, while giving up 40.9. Aaniya Webb leads the Tigers in scoring on the season with 13.1 points per game, with Somah Kamara following at 9.3. Kiki Roberts is Tennessee State's leading rebounder this season with 8.0 boards per game, while Xai Whitfield leads in assists at 2.0 per game.
Thursday will be the 74th meeting between UT Martin and Tennessee State with the Skyhawks leading the all-time series, 41-32. In Nashville, however, it is the Tigers that lead the series by six games, 21-15.
Yar Tong was named as the OVC Freshman of the Week Tuesday. Tong led UT Martin in the win over Champion Christian last week with 17 points on 7-for-9 shooting, including going 2-for-2 from 3-point range. The redshirt freshman finished the game with six rebounds, two steals, one block and one assist.
The Skyhawks currently have the 35th-best field goal percentage defense in the nation at 35.2, while their 3-point percentage defense ranks 47th at 26.2. UT Martin is also 53rd in the country in turnovers forced per game at 20.9. Individually, Zy Thompson ranks 10th among all Division I players in field goal percentage at 61.4.
Zy Thompson has won all nine jump balls to start the game this season for the Skyhawks, while Norah Clark won the jump ball to start overtime at UTEP.