UT Martin women hold off Eastern Illinois

UT Martin defeated Eastern Illinois 58-51 in their Ohio Valley Conference women’s basketball matchup Saturday afternoon at the Elam Center in Martin.

Eastern Illinois shot just 30.5 percent from the field, while the Skyhawks shot 29.1 percent. UT Martin was outscored in the second half 31-26 but a big second quarter outscoring the Panthers 21-9 helped seal the win.

Despite a second-half rally by Eastern Illinois, UT Martin never trailed in the game with the score tied only once — at 6-6 in the first quarter.

The difference in the game proved to be the 31 trips to the free throw line for the Skyhawks, where they made 23, compared to an 11-for-15 clip by the Panthers.

Kenley McCarn led all scorers in the game with 21 points, marking the second consecutive game and the third time in the last four games that she has reached or eclipsed the 20-point mark.

Zy Thompson scored 14 points, pulled down eight rebounds and had a career-best four blocks, while Brittani Wells scored 10 points to go along with six rebounds and five assists.

Sidni Middleton scored just three points in the game but led the Skyhawks on the glass by tying her career-high of nine rebounds.

The Skyhawks return to action Thursday when they make the long trip to Morehead State to take on the Eagles at 4 p.m.