The UT Martin Skyhawks outlasted the 8-8 Western Illinois Roughnecks on Thursday night coming away with an 85-83 overtime victory that moves them to 7-9 on the season and 3-2 in the OVC.
Coming off of a close victory over SEMO last weekend the Skyhawks continue to stack good conference wins as teams get into the thick of conference play in the coming weeks. The Skyhawks have stacked these wins through gritty team focused play. Through five OVC games three have been decided by three or less points.
Against Western Illinois the Skyhawks relied on the play of G Tarence Guinyard. The Junior transfer from Florida State College at Jacksonville played 39 minutes and posted season highs in points (31) and steals (4). Guinyard has been an offensive engine for the Skyhawks this season, leading the team in points with 16.5 points per game (ppg).
Other high performing Skyhawks include F Vladimer Salaridze and G/F Matija Žužić. Salaridze recorded his fifth double-double of the season for the Skyhawks with 17 points, 10 rebounds and a season-high four steals. Žužić recorded 16 points of his own with 10 coming in the second half and overtime to boost the Skyhawks to victory. He also posted season highs in 3-pointers (4) and blocks (2).
After surrendering a quick four points in overtime to the Roughnecks, it looked as if the game might slip away from the Skyhawks. However, they would rally after a Žužić three and outscore the Roughnecks 9-5 in the final two minutes to put the game away.
“We like to make things interesting,” said coach Jeremy Shulman whose Skyhawks are 3-3 so far in games decided by 3 points or less.
The Skyhawks’ next game takes them on the road to face another OVC opponent in the 7-9 Lindenwood Lions on Jan. 11, at 3:30 PM.
