MARTIN, Tenn. – The University of Tennessee at Martin women’s basketball team scored 30 points in the fourth quarter of Saturday’s game against Southeast Missouri at the Kathleen & Tom Elam Center in Martin, propelling them to an 85-69 victory over the Redhawks.
The Skyhawks never trailed in the game but could never seem to put the Redhawks away and led by just four points at the end of the third quarter. However, in the fourth, UT Martin was near perfect offensively, going 10-for-11 from the floor, 2-for-2 from 3-point range and 8-for-10 at the free throw line. The offensive clinic by the Skyhawks led to a 30-18 fourth quarter en route to the 16-point victory.
“I thought our players responded late and made the plays they needed to make at the end of the game. I am proud of them for figuring out a way to win this game,” said head coach Kevin McMillan following the contest.
For the fifth time in the past six games, the Skyhawks shot over 50-percent from the field, finishing at 26-for-45 for 57.8-percent. UT Martin also finished shooting above 40-percent from3-point range Saturday for the sixth time this season at 43.8-percent and outrebounded their opponent for fourth time in five games at 32-28. The Skyhawks also went to the line a season-high 35 times where they converted on 26 attempts, also a season-high.
Shae Littleford and Anaya Brown combined for 43 of UT Martin’s 85 points Saturday with Littleford scoring 23 and Brown adding 20. Littleford was 7-for-8 overall, 3-for-4 from beyond the arc and a perfect 6-for-6 at the free throw line, while also adding team-highs of six rebounds, three assists, three steals and one block.
Brown was highly effective as well Saturday, going 6-for-8 from the floor and 8-for-10 at the line while adding five rebounds, an assist, a steal and a block. Kenley McCarn also finished in double-digits in the game with 15 points, while Lexi Rubel tied Littleford in rebounds and assists with six and three, respectively.
The Skyhawks return to action Thursday when the travel to Macomb to take on Western Illinois at Western Hall at 5 p.m.