By Alex Boggis, UT Martin Assistant Sports Information Director
MARTIN, Tenn. – The University of Tennessee at Martin women’s basketball team brought its patented stingy defense to the Kathleen and Tom Elam Center this afternoon for its matchup against Southeastern Conference foe Mississippi State but struggled to find its offensive stroke, ultimately dropping its fourth consecutive game by a final score of 54-37.
The Skyhawks (3-6) entered the contest boasting the nation’s 13th best scoring defense – allowing 50.5 points per game – and proved up to that billing once again. UT Martin knew it faced a tough challenge with an offensive-minded Mississippi State program which averaged 78.1 points per game and shot 43.3 percent from the field on the season while featuring three players which averaged in double figures.
Despite the lopsided statistical comparison on paper, the home squad held their own with their work on the defense end. The Skyhawks held the Bulldogs to just 54 points – nearly 24 points below their season scoring average – while making it difficult on their shooters as they shot just 32.2 percent from the field. Meanwhile only one player scored in double figures for Mississippi State as Rickea Jackson scored a game-high 19 points (7-of-18) to go along with seven rebounds.
While the Skyhawks worked to keep the Bulldogs off the scoreboard on the defensive end, the home squad struggled to convert on their offensive end of the floor to sneak out a potential upset victory. UT Martin made just 24.0 percent (12-of-50) of its field goal attempts while failing to eclipse 40 points for the fourth time this season.
Freshman guard Hayley Harrison was the lone Skyhawk to crack double figures, tallying 13 points along with seven rebounds and three assists. Shanice Simpson-Whiteley earned her first career start, chipping in seven points and seven rebounds in the contest while Paige Pipkin also tossed in seven points. Meanwhile Kyannah Grant finished the day with six points, four rebounds and four assists.
“Defensively, I don’t have any problems with the way we played,” UT Martin head coach Kevin McMillan said. “We did the things we had to do to give ourselves a chance. I thought for three quarters it was good. It was 31-26 in the first, second and fourth quarter and that is right where we needed to be. The third quarter was the perfect storm that we try to avoid. I just don’t think we are mentally tough enough to do that for four quarters yet. The kids battled and played hard but at the end of the day we have to make more baskets and we didn’t do that.”
Mississippi State (7-2) picked up its seventh straight win over a non-Power 5 program this season. Jackson’s 19 points ranked as a game-high while Caterrion Thompson ranked second on the team with nine points off the bench. The Bulldogs also protected the paint, swatting away 11 blocks – including five from Denae Carter.
UT Martin will return to action on Wednesday, Dec. 15 in the team’s final non-conference home game of 2021 when playing host to Southern Illinois at 7 p.m.
Graphic Courtesy of UT Martin Sports Information