In the first round of the Preseason Women’s National Invitational Tournament the Skyhawks defeated Georgia State, 84-80.
“That was a clunky game for us,” said UTM head coach Kevin McMillan. “We didn’t execute well and I didn’t think we defended well. The only good thing is the kids figured out a way to win.”
It was a back-and-forth game all night for the Skyhawks. There was a total of 14 lead changes, but UTM was able to pull out in front in the final minutes and would hang on to get the victory.
One of the major differences from last year’s Ohio Valley Conference Championship team and this one is the starting lineup. UTM has three new starters this season, freshmen Elizabeth Masengil and Tiara Caldwell, as well as sophomore Chelsea Roberts.
The three combined for 33 points and 25 rebounds.
“The one thing that stood out is they simply did what they did,” said McMillan. “If they’ll give us that every single game, I feel really good about our season.”
“We think this is the best basketball playing group that we’ve ever had and I think you could see that tonight. We just have to get everybody on the same page with what we’re trying to accomplish.”
Last year’s OVC Player of the Year, Jasmine Newsome, led the Skyhawks with 24 points and a team-high 12 assist. Newsome also went 9-of-13 from the line.
Fellow senior guard, Heather Butler, totaled 14 points in the victory.
“The biggest difference I saw in the game was Katie Schubert,” said McMillan. “Katie is such a steady player for us. She saw everything that way going on and came in and made three huge three-pointers that I thought really pushed us over the edge.”
Schubert finished the game with 11 points and a team-high three three-pointers.
The Skyhawks advance in the winner’s bracket of the WNIT and will play with Gonzaga on Sunday, Nov. 10. Tip-off is scheduled for 4 p.m. local time.
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