The UTM women’s basketball team overcame an 11-point deficit in the first half before ultimately powering past Tennessee State in the final three quarters to secure an 88-71 Ohio Valley Conference (OVC) victory.
The Skyhawks (7-7, 3-0 OVC) opened the team’s four-game homestand with a sluggish start, seeing the visiting Lady Tigers jump out an 11-point lead early in the second quarter before later taking control of the game. UTM cruised from there, outscoring Tennessee State 46-19 over the ensuing 18 minutes of action.
UTM posted its top shooting performance of the season, making 50.8 percent of its attempts for a season-high. The Skyhawks tallied 16 assists on their 31 field goals while scoring 50 points in the paint and winning the battle of the boards for the third consecutive contest.
Four different players scored in double figures for the Skyhawks, led by reigning OVC Player of the Week Chelsey Perry with 22 points and eight rebounds in just 22 minutes of action. Tamiah Stanford also chipped in a career-high 20 points of her own, scoring 19 in the second half alone. Maddie Waldrop continued her impressive performances against TSU, tallying 18 points and eight rebounds, while Dasia Young tallied 10 points and six rebounds.
“It definitely was not a pretty win,” UT Martin Kevin McMillan said. “Tennessee State came out early playing a lot harder than us, made shots and didn’t turn the ball over. They wanted to make a statement and we just didn’t respond. We finally started to get some stops in the second quarter and picked up our intensity in the second and third. With us being so banged up, it was nice to see Tamiah take control of the game and we need that to continue.”
Tennessee State (2-11, 0-3 OVC) jumped out an early lead behind the strong play of junior Taylor Roberts. The forward scored 22 of her team-high 29 points in the opening half to lead all scorers. Joining her in double figures was Jazmine Young with 13 points and six assists.
UTM will return to action on Saturday, Jan. 11 when playing host to three-time defending OVC champion Belmont. Tipoff from the Elam Center is scheduled for 2 p.m.
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