By Alex Boggis, UT Martin Assistant Sports Information Director
EVANSVILLE, Ind. – The University of Tennessee at Martin women’s basketball team took a break from league action and came away with an 80-60 road victory at non-conference foe Evansville. With the victory, the Skyhawks earned their 100th road victory of the Kevin McMillan Era.
Playing with a short-handed squad, the Skyhawks (10-13) turned to a young starting lineup for the first time this season with four freshmen and one sophomore lining up for the opening tip. After taking a lead with 4:40 to go in the first quarter, UT Martin never looked back on the way to a decisive road victory.
UT Martin led for over 35 minutes of the contest while dominating the paint with 46 points down low along with scoring 21 points off 24 Evansville turnovers. Along with the team’s strong defensive play, the Skyhawks shot a blistering 58.8 percent from the field despite making just three three-point field goal attempts. Serving as the game’s aggressors, the Skyhawks drew 19 fouls and made the most of their free throw attempts by cashing in 17-of-20 opportunities.
For just the second time this season, the Skyhawks had two players score at least 20 points with the tandem of Sharnecce Currie-Jelks and Shae Littleford combining for 49 points. Currie-Jelks led all scorers with 26 points in the victory – going 10-for-17 from the field – while adding six rebounds to her line score. Littleford was also highly efficient from the field, making 9-of-12 field goal attempts while knocking down five free throws to give her 23 points on the night while also leading the team with five assists and four steals.
Junior Diamond Cannon also reached double figures for the first time in her Skyhawk career after going 4-for-5 from the field and 4-for-4 from the charity stripe for a total of 12 points off the bench.
“For us to come out with such a young lineup and compete for the majority of the game is something I am proud of,” McMillan said. “I can’t remember many times in my career here where we are tipping off the game with four freshmen and a sophomore of the floor, but we did tonight and they responded. Wins are hard to come by on the road and our girls found a way to answer the bell.”
Evansville (10-11) struggled from the field by shooting just 37.8 percent while making just 2-of-9 three-point attempts. Despite the team’s shooting woes, the Aces were effective from the free throw line where they scored half of their points after going 30-for-37 in the contest. The home squad ended up with four players in double figures led by Abby Feit and Kynidi Mason Striverson with 12 points each. Meanwhile, Barbora Tomancova tossed in 11 points and 10 rebounds in the setback while Myia Clark chipped in 10 points in the losing effort.
The Skyhawks return to Ohio Valley Conference play on Thursday, Feb. 9 when traveling to league leader Eastern Illinois. Tipoff from Lantz Arena is slated for 5 p.m.
Graphic courtesy of UT Martin Sports Information