Tweet #WinTheMoment

PDF Box Score  |  Photo Gallery (by Sandy King)

Tiger Booker scored 28 points on Thursday night but Eastern Illinois was unable to maintain a four-point halftime advantage as UT Martin soared in the second half to a 76-59 win at Groniger Arena.
 
EIU trailed by double digits early in the first half with Jordan Sears giving the Skyhawks a 20-9 lead with 12:40 to play in the first as he knocked down a pair of free throws.  That would be a part of Sears game all night as he scored 25 points going 11-of-13 from the stripe.
 
Booker then took the Panthers offense on his shoulders scoring 20 points in the opening half as EIU climbed out of the double-digit deficit to lead 37-33 at the break. 
 
In the second half, UTM adjusted its defense to Booker holding him to just 3-of-10 from the floor as he finished the game with 28 points.  
 
EIU had only other player reach double figures in the game as Corey Sawyer Jr got to ten points with 3:23 left in the game on an offensive put back.
 
EIU finished with 13 offensive rebounds and 37 total with Rodolfo Bolis the Panthers leader with seven boards.
 
UT Martin dominated play on the glass finishing with a 52-37 rebound margin including 18 offensive rebounds.   The Skyhawks were able to convert those into 20 points with Jacob Crews leading all players with 16 rebounds.  He posted a double-double with 12 points.
 
Desmond Williams (19 points) and KK Curry (10 points) rounded out the double figure scorers for UT Martin as they improved to 13-9 overall, 6-3 in the OVC.
 
EIU fell to 10-12 on the season, 4-5 in the OVC.