The Skyhawks made short work of the last-place Tennessee State Tigers (TSU) in Nashville on Dec. 7, becoming UTM’s largest margin of victory so far this season with a 41-point 80-39 win.
The Skyhawks (2-1 OVC) featured two double-digit scorers in senior forward Chelsey Perry (32) and sophomore guard Seygan Robins (18). Perry also led the orange-and-blue with seven rebounds and four steals.
Sophomore forward Dasia Young turned in a solid defensive performance with four defensive rebounds and two steals. Senior forward Maddie Waldrop (four assists, six rebounds) and junior guard Paige Pipkin (five rebounds, three rebounds) were kept largely off the scoreboard with only two points each, but were more than capable of distributing the ball to Perry and Robins.
Tennessee State struggled mightily in the scoring department, as the Tigers shot only 25% (13-52) from the field and 19% (4-21) from beyond the arc. The Tiger’s offense was led by guard Andrea Wrister’s 10 points while forward Jaden Wrightsell (five defensive rebounds, one steal) served as TSU’s primary defensive presence.
Robins put UTM on the board first with a three-pointer at 9:13, but would knock down another three at 8:12 to give the Skyhawks an early 6-0 lead. The Tigers fought back to an 3-8 deficit at 7:02, but UTM reeled off a 12-1 run over the next five minutes to establish a 22-6 lead. The Skyhawks led 26-11 going into the second quarter.
The Skyhawks’ defense was excellent in quarter two, as the Tigers only managed to score seven points. UTM elevated their lead to a staggering 22-point lead (40-18) over TSU going into halftime.
Quarter three showcased more solid shooting and defense by the Skyhawks. The Tigers were kept scoreless until 5:32 of quarter three, but by that time, the Skyhawks built up a 34-point lead (52-18). TSU managed to lower their deficit to a 39-point lead midway through the final quarter, but ultimately to no avail.
The Skyhawks capitalized greatly on TSU’s turnovers. Not only did the Tigers commit 23 turnovers to the Skyhawks’ 12, but UTM scored 24 points off turnovers to TSU’s four. In addition, the Skyhawks faced little resistance in the Tigers’ backcourt, as UTM picked up 21 second-chance points.
With the win, the Skyhawks improve to 2-1 in conference play and advance to fourth place in the Ohio Valley Conference (OVC). A big matchup against conference-leading Austin Peay (4-0 OVC) awaits the Skyhawks on Jan. 14, as the Governors will travel to the Kathleen and Tom Elam Center to defend their undefeated record.
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