Skyhawks Return To Elam Center To Host Christian Brothers Thursday

Date (Time): Thur., Nov. 5, 2026 (7 p.m.)
Opponent (Record): Christian Brothers Lady Bucs (0-0)
Head Coach: Samantha Davidson (Birmingham-So., 2012)
Record (Seas.) Overall/CBU: 61-145 (9th)/3-25 (2nd)
Location (Arena): Martin, Tenn. (Kathleen & Tom Elam Center)
Radio: WCMT 100.5 FM (PxP: Chris Brinkley; Analyst: Davis Gregory)
TV/Streaming: ESPN+ (Same)
UTM vs. CBU: UTM leads series 4-3

The University of Tennessee at Martin women's basketball team won its 2026-27 opener dramatically with a 90-89 win over Eastern Kentucky Monday night at the Kathleen & Tom Elam Center in Martin. Raven Sims led five players in double figures, with a debut double-double of 28 points and 10 rebounds.
The Colonels jumped out to an early advantage in the game and led the Skyhawks by as many as 11 in the opening quarter. However, the Skyhawks bounced back and trailed just 45-40 at the half, then outscored Eastern Kentucky 24-18 in the third to take a 64-63 lead into the final 10 minutes. UT Martin steadily built on the lead in the fourth quarter and led by as many as eight with 2:38 remaining. The game, however, was far from over, as the Colonels outscored the Skyhawks 10-3 down the stretch. Eastern Kentucky had two cracks at the basket in the last nine seconds, but could not get either to fall as the Skyhawks held on for their first win in a season opener since 2018.
Sims led five players in double-digits for UT Martin including Tyler Jones with 13, Kennedy Horton with 12 and Sidni Middleton and Olivia Smith. Horton led a six-block night for the Skyhawks with two, while Olivia Smith dished out five assists in her collegiate debut.
Christian Brothers opens its final season in NCAA Division II Thursday, before moving to the NAIA next season. The Lady Bucs are looking to improve from their 3-25 record a season ago in year two of head coach Samantha Davidson's tenure.
The Lady Bucs return five players from last season including Mya Bourget who averaged 6.8 points and 2.8 rebounds per game. Also, returning this season for Chrsitian Brothers are DeAnna Carrington, Anastasija Ceranova, Teuila Faalogo and Amani Lipscomb.
Thursday will be the 8th all-time meeting between UT Martin and Christian Brothers with the Skyhawks leading the all-time series 4-3. Thursday will be the first meeting between the two teams since 2018.
Monday's win over Eastern Kentucky was the first season-opening win for UT Martin since 2018 over Samford and the first win in a home opener since 2021 against Illinois State.
A big key to Monday's win over Easter Kentucky was the UT Martin's performance in the paint. The Skyhawks scored 56 points there, more than in any game last season. UT Martin also got 30 points from its bench in the contest, which is also more than any game last season.
Raven Sims got very close to breaking the UT Martin record for most points in a debut. Sim scored 28, just three short of the record held by Kenley McCarn from her 2022 debut at Troy.

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Players Mentioned

Kennedy Horton

Tyler Jones

Kenley McCarn

Sidni Middleton

Raven Sims

Olivia Smith