Skyhawks Welcome Morehead State For Regular Season Finale

Date (Time): Sat., Mar. 1, 2025 (1 p.m.)
Location (Arena): Martin, Tenn. (Kathleen & Tom Elam Center)
UTM Record: 13-17, 10-9 OVC
UTM Last 5 Games: 3-2 (WLWLW)
Opponent (Record): Morehead State Eagles (9-20, 4-15 OVC)
Last 5 Games: 1-4 (LWLLL)
Interim Head Coach (Alma Mater): Chris Palmer (Emanuel [GA], 2019)
Record (Seas.) Overall/MOR: 9-20 (1st)/Same
TV/Streaming: ESPN+ (PxP: Chris Brinkley; Analyst: Davis Gregory)
Radio: WCMT 100.5 FM (PxP: Chris Brinkley; Analyst: Davis Gregory)
UTM vs. MOR: UTM leads series 33-30

Four players reached double-digits, as the University of Tennessee at Martin women's basketball team stormed past Southern Indiana, 84-69, Thursday night at the Kathleen and Tom Elam Center in Martin.
The Screaming Eagles jumped out to an 11-4 lead in the game, but the Skyhawks used a 16-3 later in the first quarter run to take a lead it would never relinquish. In the fourth quarter, UT Martin outscored USI, 24-16, in the frame, including a 9-0 run late in the game. The Skyhawks made nine of their last 10 field goals in the game, to seal the 15-point win and move to 13-17 overall and 10-9 in OVC play.
UT Martin crashed the boards Thursday, outrebounding the Screaming Eagles, 40-27, on the night for the largest rebounding margin of the season against a Division I opponent. Another key to the Skyhawks' win was points off turnovers. Despite committing two more turnovers, at 13-11, UT Martin was able to capitalize better off the USI miscues, outscoring their opponents, 20-9, in the category.
Morehead State enters Saturday still chasing the eighth and final spot in next week's OVC tournament and needs a win over the Skyhawks and a loss by Tennessee State to claim it. The Eagles are 9-20 overall and 4-15 in OVC play and currently average 66.4 points and 37.2 rebounds per game on 39.8% shooting. Kate Novik currently leads her team in four of the five major statistical categories including points (13.6), rebounds (6.1), assists (4.7), and steals (2.3).
The Skyhawks have won two in a row over Morehead State and lead the all-time series 33-31. In January, UT Martin put up its biggest offensive production of the season against the Eagles, scoring 102 points. In Martin, the Skyhawks hold a five-game advantage in the series, winning 16 of 27 meetings.
In the first quarter of Thursday night's game, Kenley McCarn hit two free throws to become the 19th member of UT Martin's 1,000-point club. She is now just the fourth sophomore in program history to join the elite club, alongside Heather Butler, Ashia Jones, and Jasmine Newsome.
Anaya Brown notched her third consecutive double-double Thursday against Southern Indiana with 27 points and 10 rebounds, in addition to tying her career-high in blocks with five. Over the past three games, Brown has averaged 26.7 points, 10.0 rebounds and 3.7 blocks. Shooting-wise, the junior has posted a 44.8 field goal percentage and has shot 80.7% at the free throw line.
The Skyhawks went 5-3 in February this season, making it, annually, the most successful month of head coach Kevin McMillan's career. With Thursday's win McMillan is now 100-28 in the second month of the year for a winning percentage of 78.1%.
This season, the number of points the Skyhawks has been a direct indicator of their success. UT Martin is 12-1 on the year when scoring 70 or more points and a perfect 5-0 when scoring 80 or more, after Thursday's 84-69 win over Southern Indiana.
Before Saturday's game, Tia Hymon and Abby Stephens will be honored during the annual Senior Day ceremony.
With eight made 3-pointers against Southern Indiana, UT Martin has made at least one 3-pointer in 511 consecutive games. The streak dates back to Feb. 3, 2009, against Austin Peay and currently, ranks seventh nationally.
With 10 rebounds against Southern Indiana, Anaya Brown currently has 627 career rebounds, placing her 10th all-time in Skyhawk history. Brown now needs 31 rebounds to pass Tara Tansil and take over ninth place on UT Martin's career rebounding list.
Despite there being one game left in the regular season, the Skyhawks will not have to wait until Saturday evening to find out their opponent for next week's OVC tournament. UT Martin has secured the No. 6 seed and will play the No. 7 seed Western Illinois Wednesday at 3 p.m. on ESPN+ at the Ford Center in Evansville, Indiana.

Skyhawks Welcome Morehead State For Regular Season Finale

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Players Mentioned

Anaya Brown

Tia Hymon

Kenley McCarn

Abby Stephens