The No. 1-seeded UTM Skyhawks women’s basketball team defeated the No. 5-seeded Eastern Kentucky Lady Colonels on Friday by a score of 97-45. The 52-point victory, which set a new Ohio Valley Conference Tournament record for the largest margin of victory, advances UTM to the tournament finals.
Seniors Heather Butler and Jasmine Newsome led the Skyhawks in scoring, recording 23 and 21 points respectively during the course of the game. Freshman Ashia Jones led the team in rebounding with seven boards.
For the Lady Colonels, freshman Mariah Massengill led the way with 12 points. Close behind was sophomore Jasmine Henshaw, who scored 10 in the game. Sophomores Shelly Harper and Miranda Maples each contributed six rebounds.
The Skyhawks came into the game well-rested after not playing in the first two rounds of the tournament. By contrast, the Lady Colonels were required to play in both rounds, defeating Eastern Illinois in the first round and Tennessee State in Thursday’s quarterfinals.
“I thought the three games in three days for Eastern Kentucky was huge,” said UTM head coach Kevin McMillan after the game. “They played two great games, two tough games for them, and then [they had] to turn around and play against us, who’re going to try and make the game go up and down the floor.”
The Skyhawks’ bench was able to use their extended rest to their advantage, putting up 33 points despite having no individual player on the court for more than 28 minutes.
“I thought that our bench–Elizabeth [Masengil] and Karisma Tyson–were kind of the extra little catalyst that we needed in the first half,” McMillan said. “I thought both of them played exceptionally well, and it kind of gave an extra boost to us. … Here in the postseason, it’s going to take stuff like that every night [to win].”
The Skyhawks were able to get out to a large early lead, opening the game with a 22-0 run. The Lady Colonels were held scoreless over the game’s first 5:34; their first points came on a three-pointer by Massengill. The Skyhawks would lead at the half by a margin of 56-24.
“We knew what we had to do, coming out to play,” said Butler. “We basically said, it doesn’t matter if they’re fresh [or] if they’ve played the past two games, we have to have the same mindset.”
Newsome’s 21-point effort was enough to move her into second place on the OVC’s all-time scoring list, behind Butler. After the game, however, Newsome made it clear that she paid the accomplishment no mind.
“It’s a great award and all,” said Newsome, “but I don’t think either one of us focuses on individual awards right now, because we’re still playing. … Right now, we’re not worried about that.”
The Skyhawks were able to force turnovers all game long, converting 23 EKU turnovers into 30 extra points. In comparison, the Lady Colonels were able to cause only eight turnovers, resulting in six points.
The Skyhawks will now move on to the OVC Tournament finals, where they will face either the second-seeded Belmont Bruins, or the sixth-seeded Jacksonville State Gamecocks, at 1 p.m.
