Deniusas Sets Skyhawk Program Record With Seventh OVC Freshman Of The Week Honor
1/5/2026 11:30:00 AM | Men's Basketball
BRENTWOOD, Tenn. – After sinking go-ahead buckets in the waning stages of both University of Tennessee at Martin victories last week, the Ohio Valley Conference named Matas Deniusas as its Freshman of the Week for men's basketball today.
Today's announcement marks the seventh OVC Freshman of the Week award for Deniusas, who now passes Marquis Weddle (six in 2007-08) for the most such accolades in school history. Deniusas is tied for the ninth-most OVC Freshman of the Week honors in the history of the award, which was first handed out during the 1978-79 season.
Deniusas averaged 15.5 points, 8.5 rebounds, 2.0 assists and 1.5 blocks per outing in home wins over Western Illinois (67-60 on Thursday) and Eastern Illinois (65-61 on Saturday).
Against Western Illinois, Deniusas helped the Skyhawks overcome a double-digit first-half deficit by sinking a jumper in the lane with 1:50 remaining that gave UT Martin the lead for good. He wrapped up that game with 12 points, eight rebounds, three assists, two blocks and a steal in 26 minutes of playing time.
Two days later, Deniusas pumped in 11 straight Skyhawk points in a 5:37 span down the stretch against Eastern Illinois – including the go-ahead three-pointer with 59 seconds left to play. He ended with a game-high 19 points, career-best nine rebounds, an assist and a block in 31 minutes.
A 6-9, 220-pound forward from Vilnius, Lithuania, Deniusas paces UT Martin in scoring in conference play at 16.0 points per contest. He also is averaging 7.3 rebounds, 2.8 assists and 1.3 blocks per game against league rivals.
The Skyhawks begin a two-game road swing on Thursday, Jan. 8 when they travel to Morehead State for a 6:30 p.m. CT tipoff.
Today's announcement marks the seventh OVC Freshman of the Week award for Deniusas, who now passes Marquis Weddle (six in 2007-08) for the most such accolades in school history. Deniusas is tied for the ninth-most OVC Freshman of the Week honors in the history of the award, which was first handed out during the 1978-79 season.
Deniusas averaged 15.5 points, 8.5 rebounds, 2.0 assists and 1.5 blocks per outing in home wins over Western Illinois (67-60 on Thursday) and Eastern Illinois (65-61 on Saturday).
Against Western Illinois, Deniusas helped the Skyhawks overcome a double-digit first-half deficit by sinking a jumper in the lane with 1:50 remaining that gave UT Martin the lead for good. He wrapped up that game with 12 points, eight rebounds, three assists, two blocks and a steal in 26 minutes of playing time.
Two days later, Deniusas pumped in 11 straight Skyhawk points in a 5:37 span down the stretch against Eastern Illinois – including the go-ahead three-pointer with 59 seconds left to play. He ended with a game-high 19 points, career-best nine rebounds, an assist and a block in 31 minutes.
A 6-9, 220-pound forward from Vilnius, Lithuania, Deniusas paces UT Martin in scoring in conference play at 16.0 points per contest. He also is averaging 7.3 rebounds, 2.8 assists and 1.3 blocks per game against league rivals.
The Skyhawks begin a two-game road swing on Thursday, Jan. 8 when they travel to Morehead State for a 6:30 p.m. CT tipoff.
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