Thursday, January 29
Charleston, Ill.
7:30 p.m.
UT Martin
at
Eastern Illinois
OVC-Leading UT Martin Squad Begins Active Two-Week Stretch Tomorrow At Eastern Illinois
1/28/2026 8:51:00 AM | Men's Basketball
MARTIN, Tenn. – Making its first appearance in nine days, the University of Tennessee at Martin men's basketball squad goes for its fifth straight victory tomorrow against Ohio Valley Conference rival Eastern Illinois. Tipoff time from Charleston, Ill. is set for 7:30 p.m. on ESPN+.
These two squads matched up back on Jan. 3 at the Kathleen and Tom Elam Center as the Skyhawks (15-5, 7-2 OVC) overcame a 41-34 halftime deficit to prevail by a 65-61 margin. Matas Deniusas recorded a game-high 19 points with nine rebounds while Andrija Bukumirović collected seven points with career-highs of 14 rebounds, six blocks, four assists and four steals to become the first NCAA Division I men's basketball player to record that stat line since at least the 2004-05 season. Pedro Santos and Afan Trnka each added 11 points apiece as UT Martin limited the Panthers to 26.1 percent (6-for-23) shooting in the second half.
Trnka enjoyed the best game of his Skyhawk career inside Groniger Arena last season, posting career-highs of 18 points and nine assists for UT Martin's second consecutive victory in Charleston.
Despite a 66-50 setback at Southeast Missouri in their last action on Jan. 20, the Skyhawks' gritty defense was on full display once again. UT Martin held the Redhawks to 39.7 percent shooting - marking the first time all season that the Skyhawks had lost when holding their opponent under 40 percent from the field (was previously 11-0). Deniusas (11 points) led UT Martin in scoring for the ninth time while Bukumirović corralled a career-best 14 rebounds.
The Panthers (9-12, 5-5 OVC) are coming off a tough 73-68 setback at Morehead State last Saturday. Preston Turner poured in a game-high 18 points off the bench in a game that featured 10 ties and 10 lead changes. Against the Skyhawks earlier this season, Zion Fruster (17 points), Kooper Jacobi (16) and Meechie White (12) each scored in double digits for Eastern Illinois, who tops the OVC in free throw percentage (.749).
Links to watch the ESPN+ live video stream, hear the WCMT 1410 AM/100.5 FM radio broadcast, follow along with live stats and browse Skyhawk game notes are all featured above.
These two squads matched up back on Jan. 3 at the Kathleen and Tom Elam Center as the Skyhawks (15-5, 7-2 OVC) overcame a 41-34 halftime deficit to prevail by a 65-61 margin. Matas Deniusas recorded a game-high 19 points with nine rebounds while Andrija Bukumirović collected seven points with career-highs of 14 rebounds, six blocks, four assists and four steals to become the first NCAA Division I men's basketball player to record that stat line since at least the 2004-05 season. Pedro Santos and Afan Trnka each added 11 points apiece as UT Martin limited the Panthers to 26.1 percent (6-for-23) shooting in the second half.
Trnka enjoyed the best game of his Skyhawk career inside Groniger Arena last season, posting career-highs of 18 points and nine assists for UT Martin's second consecutive victory in Charleston.
Despite a 66-50 setback at Southeast Missouri in their last action on Jan. 20, the Skyhawks' gritty defense was on full display once again. UT Martin held the Redhawks to 39.7 percent shooting - marking the first time all season that the Skyhawks had lost when holding their opponent under 40 percent from the field (was previously 11-0). Deniusas (11 points) led UT Martin in scoring for the ninth time while Bukumirović corralled a career-best 14 rebounds.
The Panthers (9-12, 5-5 OVC) are coming off a tough 73-68 setback at Morehead State last Saturday. Preston Turner poured in a game-high 18 points off the bench in a game that featured 10 ties and 10 lead changes. Against the Skyhawks earlier this season, Zion Fruster (17 points), Kooper Jacobi (16) and Meechie White (12) each scored in double digits for Eastern Illinois, who tops the OVC in free throw percentage (.749).
Links to watch the ESPN+ live video stream, hear the WCMT 1410 AM/100.5 FM radio broadcast, follow along with live stats and browse Skyhawk game notes are all featured above.
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