MACOMB, Ill. – Anaya Brown had season-highs of 26 points and 12 rebounds for the 12th double-double of her career, as the University of Tennessee at Martin women’s basketball team picked up a key Ohio Valley Conference road win over Western Illinois Thursday night, 73-60, at Western Hall in Macomb.
“We did a really good job tonight and got a really good win on the road,” said head coach Kevin McMillan after the game. “We are getting better, we aren’t quite there yet, but we are getting better”
The Skyhawks, who led by as many as 19 in the game, saw four players reach double figures in the game, accounting for 60 of the team’s 73 points. Daejah Richmond came off the bench to follow Brown with 13 points, while Norah Clark added a season-high 11 and Shae Littleford chipped in with 10.
On the glass, UT Martin outrebounded its opponent for the fifth time this season and improved to 4-1 on the year when they do so. Kenley McCarn tied her career-high by following Brown with eight boards and Lexi Rubel added six to the tally, giving the Skyhawks 41 on the night compared to 35 by the Leathernecks.
The Skyhawks appeared sloppy out of the gate committing six turnovers in the first quarter, but they were able to tidy up their control of ball and averaged just three turnovers over the next three quarters. Meanwhile, Western Illinois committed 18 turnovers on the night, 11 of which were forced by UT Martin including a game high four from Richmond.
Brown finished out her stat line with a season-high three blocks, two steals and an assist. Littleford also had a well-rounded night with a season-high six assists and five rebounds and a steal.
The Skyhawks continue their Midwestern swing Saturday when they travel to the Show-Me State to take on Lindenwood. Tip-off from Hyland Arena in Saint Charles, Missouri is scheduled for 1 p.m.