UTM Skyhawks Men’s basketball team fell to the Murray State Racers 73-62. The team was a completely different team from the team that played Jacksonville State.
“I thought we played a lot harder than the last time we were in this gym. I thought our overall effort was good. We showed up and were engaged mentally. I thought our effort was good,” said head coach Jason James.
The Skyhawks held the Racers for the first few minutes of the game. By the first time out, both teams had scored three field goals combined. The Racers came from the time out with their minds made up; they were going to win and they were going to do it big.
UTM stepped up their game in the middle of the first half. They started to fight back, bringing the lead within nine points with 7:42 remaining. It seemed they had their fighting spirit back, but by halftime the Racers’ lead had increased to 14 points. At the buzzer, the Racers lead 33-19.
The Racers came out of halftime with victory on their minds and they meant to take it. They effectively shut out junior guard Myles Taylor, holding his field goals to three. He redeemed himself by securing rebounds.
Morale was low as the Skyhawks fought hard to stay out of a 30-point lead.
With 6:37 left to play in the game, UTM started to fight as if their lives depended on it. They held the Racers with a 20-point lead and began to chip away at it.
It was less than four minutes left to play and they were within 14 points, but it wasn’t to be. Effectively shut down from field goals and with blue jerseys all over the place, the Skyhawks couldn’t hit any 3-pointers. The Skyhawks lost 73-62, making their OVC record 0-3.
The leading scorer of the game was Mike Liabo with 16 points and two rebounds. Myles Taylor had 11 points and seven rebounds. Terence Smith, who is coming back this season from an ankle injury, secured 10 points and five rebounds.
The Skyhawks return to action against Austin Peay Saturday, Jan. 5, at 6 p.m. To follow the game, follow The Pacer on Facebook and Twitter, @thepacer.
