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box Score

MARTN, Tenn. –  Derek Hawthorne sank a 30-foot 3-pointer as time expired in overtime as UT Martin beat Eastern Illinois, 80-79, on Saturday afternoon.

EIU fell to 12-14 overall, 5-9 in the OVC.  UTM improved to 8-17 overall, 4-10 in the OVC.

In a back-and-forth contest in overtime, Mack Smith hit a 3-pointer with 17.2 seconds to give EIU a 79-77 lead.  The Panthers then made a defensive stop but failed to knock down free throws that could have iced the game.  EIU missed its final four free throws in overtime and was 7-of-15 from the line for the game.

UTM led by as many as nine points in the first half with Quintin Dove posting a big half for the Skyhawks.  EIU would take a 27-25 lead with 4:19 to play in the first half on a 3-pointer by Smith.  Smith scored 19 points for EIU.

Dove scored 19 of his 32 points in the first half as UTM led 35-31 at the half.

UTM again took a lead in the second half extending their lead to seven points.  EIU would go on a 22-6 run over the middle portion of the second half as EIU pushed out to a 59-50 lead.  Eman Sertovic was able to keep the Skyhawks in the game hitting three 3-pointers in the second half.  Sertovic had 14 points. 

The game was tied at 70-70 at the end of regulation as both teams shot over 50 percent in the game.  Jordan Skipper-Brown and George Dixon both had double-doubles for EIU.  Skipper-Brown had 14 points and 13 rebounds.  Dixon had 12 points and 10 rebounds.  Josiah Wallace led EIU with 20 points.

Hawthorne had 18 points for UTM including the game winner.