by MURRAY, Ky. – The University of Tennessee at Martin women’s basketball began the new year with a dominating opener to Ohio Valley Conference action, surging past Murray State 89-64 on Thursday night in the CFSB Center.
The Skyhawks (5-7, 1-0 OVC) posted their first road victory of the season behind a complete performance which saw four different players score in double figures along with several team highs. UT Martin also recorded a season-high 89 points while shooting 43.0 percent from the floor along with 10 three-pointers.
UT Martin made a season-high 10 three-pointers – including five in the first quarter alone – en route to 31 points in the opening 10 minutes. Behind unselfish play, the Skyhawks tallied 19 assists on the team’s 34 field goals while defensively the squad forced 19 turnovers and tallied 11 steals. Another key was the team’s rebounding advantage with a season-high 49 rebounds – including 23 offensive boards which led to 20 second-chance opportunities.
Four different Skyhawks eclipsed double figures for the first time this season as junior forward Chelsey Perry tallied her sixth career double-double with 20 points and 10 rebounds while filling out her stat line with three blocks, three assists and two steals. Fellow junior forward Maddie Waldrop also nearly posted a double-double of her own in a return to her hometown with 15 points and nine rebounds. Meanwhile, the post duo of Damiah Griffin (15 points, five rebounds) and Dasia Young (14 points, four rebounds) rounded out the top offensive performers for the Skyhawks. Kyannah Grant (Navajo/MBCI) added 7 points, 3 steals and 3 assists in the contest as well.
