By Ryne Rickman, UT Martin Sports Information Director
DES MOINES, Iowa – The University of Tennessee at Martin men’s basketball team started off both halves well at Drake this afternoon but the Bulldogs proved to be too much in an 80-54 Skyhawk setback at the Knapp Center.
UT Martin began the game on 10-2 run in less than three minutes but trailed by a 43-25 margin at the halftime break. The Skyhawks then came out of the locker room and produced seven unanswered points in the second half but Drake recovered to win its 30th consecutive home game against a nonconference opponent.
For the fourth straight game and sixth time overall this season, KJ Simon led UT Martin (4-8) in scoring as the junior guard accounted for 13 points. Chris Nix almost came away with his second consecutive double-double with nine points and a game-high 11 rebounds to go along with two assists, two blocks and two steals in just 22 minutes.
The Bulldogs (8-4) saw five players reach double figures in the scoring column as Tucker DeVries (15 points), Okay Djamgouz (15), Darnell Brodie (12), ShanQuan Hemphill (10) and Ayo Akinwole (10) each accomplished that feat.
A trio of Skyhawks provided points to give UT Martin its 10-2 lead to start the contest. Simon was responsible for five points while Koby Jeffries (jumper) and KK Curry (old-fashioned three-point play) helped the Skyhawks jump out to an early advantage.
After Drake temporarily took a one-point lead at the 14:47 mark, Darius Simmons answered right back with a deep three-pointer on UT Martin’s next trip down the floor to make the score 13-11 in favor of the Skyhawks.
The Bulldogs responded with a 15-0 run that wasn’t snapped until a Nix jumper in the paint with 9:28 to go in the first half. Josiah Morris scored UT Martin’s next five points but Drake posted nine of the final 12 points before the halftime break.
The Skyhawk trio of Simon, Simmons and Morris shared the team lead in scoring with five points apiece in the first 20 minutes. All eight Bulldogs who played in the first half scored as Brodie’s eight points ranked as a team-high.
A bucket in the paint from Simon opened the scoring on both sides in the second half. Jeffries sank a jumper and following a dunk and free throw from Curry, UT Martin had trimmed its deficit to 43-32 with 16:47 remaining in the contest.
Drake then went on a 15-2 run before a Simon jumper and Mikel Henderson trifecta got the Skyhawks back on track. However, the dangerous Bulldog offense produced separate lengthy runs (8-0 and 10-0) over the next seven minutes to create some separation.
Nix scored seven of UT Martin’s final eight points but unfortunately the Drake lead was too large to overcome.
Earlier today, it was announced that the Skyhawks’ game at No. 15 Ohio State on Tuesday was cancelled. For all the latest updates, including breaking news and scheduling adjustments, please continue to visit UTMSports.com.
Graphic courtesy of UT Martin Sports Information