By Alex Boggis, UT Martin Assistant Sports Information Director
MARTIN, Tenn. – The University of Tennessee at Martin women’s basketball team scored early and often behind a strong debut performance by the freshman trio of Kenley McCarn, Sharnecce Currie-Jelks and Josie Storey to power past NAIA foe Freed-Hardeman 73-37 in an exhibition contest.
Despite the early tipoff in the team’s lone exhibition contest of the preseason schedule, the Skyhawks controlled the tempo with a young roster which featured four freshman starters. Defensively, UT Martin held Freed-Hardeman below 40 points while eclipsing 18 points offensively in three of the four quarters.
McCarn ranked as the game’s leading scorer with 19 points and five rebounds – including 13 points in the opening quarter alone. Meanwhile, Currie-Jelks tallied 11 points and eight rebounds while Storey scored 11 points – including a trio of trifectas. Fellow freshman Lexi Rubel also contributed with a game-high nine rebounds.
Freed-Hardeman struggled to find its offensive grove, shooting just 31.7 percent from the floor while not placing a player in double figures. The Lady Lions were led offensively by Madisyn Baugher and Kelsey Bender with six points each.
UT Martin will now turn its attention to the regular season when it plays host to Troy in the season-opener on Thursday, Nov. 10. Tipoff from the Elam Center is scheduled for 6 p.m.
Graphic courtesy of UT Martin Sports Information