By Alex Boggis, UT Martin Assistant Sports Information Director
MARTIN, Tenn. – The University of Tennessee at Martin women’s basketball could not slow down a hot-shooting Eastern Illinois squad as the Ohio Valley Conference leaders knocked down 56.6 percent of its attempts and came away with a 78-63 road victory.
The Skyhawks (7-12, 3-5 OVC) had a 7-0 run in the opening minutes of the game but the Panthers quickly responded by retaking a lead with 7:18 left in the first quarter and never looked back. Eastern Illinois ultimately strung together an 11-0 run in the first quarter which gave the squad all the breathing room it needed and a lead which it would not relinquish.
Eastern Illinois (16-3, 8-0 OVC) remained perfect in league play with the victory. The squad shot well over 50 percent in every quarter – except the third – while scoring 78 points despite knocking down just three three-point field goals. The Panthers did most of their damage in the paint where they scored 40 points while adding 23 points off turnovers.
UT Martin saw three players score in double figures in the contest with graduate guard Seygan Robins scoring a season-high 17 points after knocking down five three-pointers. Robins was joined in double figures by the guard tandem of Josie Storey and Shae Littleford which added 10 points each in the setback.
The Panthers had a well-rounded effort with Macy McGlone leading the way with a game-high 25 points while adding five rebounds and four steals. Preseason All-OVC guard Lariah Washington also had a nice game with 19 points and seven rebounds while Morgan Litwiller added 11 points for EIU.
“Washington is the best player in the league and McGlone is the best post player in the league,” UT Martin head coach Kevin McMillan said. “When you put those two things together, you are going to have a good basketball team and they do. We didn’t answer the bell and that is disappointing. You give credit to Eastern Illinois for doing the things they did to cause us some problems.”
UT Martin will return to action when hosting Lindenwood on Thursday, Jan. 26. Tipoff from the Elam Center is slated for 5:30 p.m.
Graphic courtesy of UT Martin Sports Information