Skyhawks Look To Build Momentum Against Eastern Illinois Saturday at Home

Saturday, January 3

Martin, Tenn.

1 p.m.

UT Martin

Eastern Illinois

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Skyhawks Look To Build Momentum Against Eastern Illinois Saturday at Home

1/2/2026 5:09:00 PM | Women's Basketball

Date (Time): Sat., Jan. 3, 2026 (1 p.m.)
Opponent (Record): Eastern Illinois Panthers (1-13, 0-3 OVC)
Head Coach: Marqus McGlothan (St. Cloud State '15)
Record (Seas.) Overall/EIU: 19-25 (2^nd)/Same
Location (Arena): Martin, Tenn. (Kathleen & Tom Elam Center)
Radio: WCMT 100.5 FM (PxP: Chris Brinkley; Analyst: Davis Gregory)
TV/Streaming: ESPN+ (PxP: Chris Brinkley; Analyst: Davis Gregory)
UTM vs. EIU: UTM leads series 41-26

In a game that saw 50 minutes of total action and 33 lead changes or ties, the University of Tennessee at Martin women's basketball team emerged victorious, topping Western Illinois, 86-78, in double overtime Thursday at the Kathleen and Tom Elam Center in Martin. The win was also a milestone for head coach Kevin McMillan, as it went down as his 300th career victory. Sidni Middleton tied her career-high in points in the game with 25 and was just one rebound away from a double-double with a career-best nine boards. The game marked the third consecutive game in which Middleton has scored 20 or more points, as she is averaging 23.3 points per game in OVC play. McCarn added 20 points and seven rebounds to the cause, while Zy Thompson recorded her fourth double-double of the season with 12 points and 11 rebounds.
Kenley McCarn currently leads the Skyhawks with 15.4 points per game, while Zy Thompson and Sidni Middleton follow at 11.8 and 11.6, respectively. On the boards, Thompson leads UT Martin with 6.7 rebounds per game, while Brittani Wells leads in assists and steals 4.2 and 2.3. As a team, the Skyhawks are averaging 69.8 points and 36.8 rebounds per game, while their opponents average 64.7 and 14.8. They are currently shooting 42.0-percent from the field, 29.6-percent from 3-point range and 72.8-percent at the free throw line.
Eastern Illinois enters Saturday's contest at 1-13 overall, 0-3 in OVC play and having lost each of their last seven contests. The Panthers currently average 56.9 points per game, while allowing 76.2. Eastern Illinois is shooting 34.8-percent from the floor, 30.4-percent from 3-point range and 74.7-percent from the free throw line. On the boards, Panthers average 33.1 rebounds per game, while giving up 41.2.
Ava Stoller currently leads the Panthers in points per game at 12.3. Sydney-James Desroches follows Stoller with 11.2 points per game, while Lalani Ellis averages 10.0.
Saturday will be the 68th meeting between the Skyhawks and Panthers, with the Skyhawks leading the all-time series, 41-26, The Panthers swept the season series last season under then first-year head coach Marqus McGlothan. In Martin, the Skyhawks have 23 of 32 meetings between the two teams.
The Skyhawks have made a 3-point field goal in 525 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' 12 games this season. She is averaging 15.4 points on the year and has scored 10 or more points in 21 of her last 23 games.
Sidni Middleton tied her career-high of 25 points against Western Illinois, marking her third straight game of 20 or more points. She also set a new career-mark in rebounds against the Leathernecks with nine. At the free throw line, she has the third free throw percentage in the nation at .966, thanks in part to a 9-for-9 performance against Western Illinois.
Head coach Kevin McMillian picked up his 300th career win against Western Illinois, giving him a career record of 300-219 (.578). He also recently eclipsed 200 OVC wins for a career mark of 201-81 (.713).
The Skyhawks currently have the 50th-best field goal percentage defense in the nation at 36.4, while they rank 39th in the nation in steals per game at 11.3. UT Martin is also 56th in the country in turnovers forced per game at 20.6.
Zy Thompson has won all 12 jump balls to start the game this season for the Skyhawks.