The UTM men’s basketball team struggled offensively this afternoon at Morehead State, falling to the Ohio Valley Conference’s (OVC) best defensive squad in a 76-44 setback.
It was an off night all around for the Skyhawks (3-9, 1-7 OVC), who shot 29.8 percent from the floor and 21.1 percent from three-point range. UTM – who entered the game leading the OVC in free throw percentage – even shot an uncharacteristic 50 percent (6-of-12) from the charity stripe.
Cameron Holden once again topped the Skyhawks in scoring, securing a game-best 16 points to go along with team-highs of five rebounds and three steals. Kenton Eskridge equaled Holden with a team-high five rebounds and also dished out a team-best three assists.
Morehead State (11-6, 8-2 OVC) had a trio of balanced scorers in double figures, paced by Johni Broome and DeVon Cooper’s 13-point efforts. James Baker chipped in 12 points for the Eagles, who were 0-for-9 from three-point range in the first half but shot 61.5 percent (16-of-26) overall in the final 20 minutes.
A Holden trifecta opened the scoring for UTM and gave the Skyhawks their first lead in the process. Layups by Jaron Williams and Holden on back-to-back possessions opened up an 11-6 UTM advantage with 13 minutes to go in the first half.
Morehead State scored the next 10 points of the contest, nudging ahead with a lead they would not relinquish the rest of the way.
Anthony Thomas accounted for five consecutive Skyhawk points before a Vinnie Viana three-pointer and a pair of free throws out of Holden trimmed UTM’s deficit to a single point at the 5:03 mark. However, the Eagles ended the half on an 11-0 run to take a 32-22 lead into the locker room.
Holden (seven points) and Broome (11) led their respective squads in scoring in the first half.
The Skyhawks were responsible for the first four points of the second stanza. Ajani Kennedy (layup) and La-Quiem Walker (mid-range jumper) sliced UT Martin’s deficit to only six points with 18:53 remaining.
Morehead State bounced back with 12 unanswered points over a stretch of 4:30 before a Holden layup ended the Skyhawks’ scoring drought. Moments later, the Eagles used another extended run – this time tallying a 22-5 surge – down the stretch to create some separation.
UTM now embarks on a six-game homestand, starting with a Tuesday, Jan. 26 matchup against Southeast Missouri. That game will serve as the backend of a doubleheader with the women’s team and will begin at 8 p.m.
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