Breaking records is nothing new for UTM’s Heather Butler and against Morehead State on Jan. 18, she broke yet another one.
Aside from totaling 26 points in the game to help her team defeat their Ohio Valley Conference foe 74-52, Butler became the OVC’s all-time leading scoring with 2,532 points. The previous mark was 2,526 set by former Tennessee Tech player Cheryl Taylor in 1987.
“Honestly, it is one of those things that you cannot even begin to put into words,” Butler told UTM Sports following the game. “I could not have done it without my teammates all four years. They have always meant so much to me and I get emotional just thinking about what all this program has meant to me personally. All of my coaches, going back to high school, have always given me the upmost support and the support staff of my mother and sister has been incredible. It is a good feeling to know that they are proud of you, overwhelming in a way. To be able to go away from this program my senior year, knowing that I did everything I could, allows me to leave this program down the road with a smile on my face.”
Not only did she claim the OVC’s top scoring record, but she moved into 35th on the NCAA’s all-time scoring list.
During her time at UTM, Butler has rewrote both the OVC and the UTM record books en route to winning three-straight OVC Conference Championships.
Despite the individual success that she has had, Butler doesn’t miss an opportunity to thank those who have helped her get where she is.
“My family is my backbone and follow me around everywhere I go,” said Butler. “Throughout growing up, my mom was always there for me, whether it was rebounding or whatever my needs. I do not have words to describe how much my mom, sister and everyone in this program means to me.”
After the game, Morehead State head coach Tom Hodges spoke on Butler breaking the record.
“[She] is very deserving of the OVC’s all-time scoring record,” said Hodges. “I’m just sorry it happened here at Johnson Arena. Heather is a ball of energy and catalyst for everything they do. A lot of the success UT Martin has enjoyed in recent years is due to her. I’m glad to see her go because she’s such a great player.”
On Monday, against Tennessee Tech, she recorded 35 points moving her career total to 2,567. Her teammate, Jasmine Newsome, scored 36 points against the Golden Eagles moving her career-total to 2,356 , which moves her into fifth all-time in the OVC.
The Skyhawks (14-6, 7-0 OVC) will return to action on Saturday, Jan. 25, to take on SIU Edwardsville at 2 p.m. in Elam Center.
