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MARTIN, Tenn. – UT Martin shot 58 percent from 3-point range in the opening half as they pulled away for a 81-51 win over Eastern Illinois on Thursday night at the Elam Center in Martin, Tenn.
EIU dropped to 12-9, 6-3 in the OVC. The Panthers played their second straight game without
Chris Olivier. They will host SIU Edwardsville on Saturday at 3:15 p.m. at Lantz Arena. UT Martin improved to 13-7, 5-3 in the OVC.
UT Martin jumped out to a 5-0 lead before the Panthers climbed within two points on a
Josh Piper 3-pointer with 15:22 to play. The Panthers would tie the game at 17-17 with 10:16 to play on a jumper by
Trae Anderson. Anderson led the Panthers with 14 points.
The Skyhawks would go on an 11-0 run with Alex Anderson sinking three 3-pointers as they made 7-of-12 from 3-point range in the first half. Anderson had nine first half points, finishing the game with 16.
UTM shot 65 percent from the floor in the opening half to lead 43-22. The Panthers would go the final 5:15 of the first half without a field goal and only one point on a
Dylan Chatman free throw.
UT Martin continued to have the hot hand in the second half as the Skyhawks finished the game shooting 60.9 percent, the highest field goal percentage of the season against an EIU defense that entered the game leading the OVC in field goal percentage defense.
The Panthers were able to cut the lead to 16 points at 53-37 on a
Reggie Smith 3-pointer with 11:31 to play. UTM was able to quickly pull away on four straight free throws by Twymond Howard as he finished with 22 points for the Skyhawks. Howard was 10-of-10 at the foul line adding 11 rebounds.
UT Martin finished the game making 11-of-20 from 3-point range. Marshun Newell had 15 points and Deville Smith 12 to round out the double figure scorers for UTM.
Chatman added 12 as EIU was held to 33.3 percent shooting for the game.