Late run leads Skyhawk women to OVC-opening win over Tech
December 31, 2011

Late run leads Skyhawk women to OVC-opening win over Tech

Tennessee Tech kept things close before a late run by UT Martin helped lift the host Skyhawks to an 83-61 victory over the Golden Eagles in the OVC opener for both teams Saturday afternoon.

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MARTIN, Tenn. – The host UT Martin Skyhawks finished each half with strong play, and the result was an 83-61 Ohio Valley Conference victory over Tennessee Tech Saturday afternoon in women's basketball action in the Elam Center.

The Golden Eagles (4-10/0-1 OVC) kept things close for most of the first half before a late UTM run gave the hosts an eight-point halftime lead. In the second half, the Golden Eagles kept things tight for 10 minutes before a seven-minute scoring drought allowed the Skyhawks (7-6/1-0) to pull away.

The game was the OVC opener for both teams, picked first and second in the OVC preseason poll.

Jala Harris was the lone Golden Eagle to score in double figures as the junior guard netted 22 points on 10-for-18 shooting. She also contributed four rebounds, four assists and four steals.

Tacarra Hayes and Briana Jordan finished with nine points each and Molly Heady scored eight. Senior center Brittany Darling grabbed a game-best 14 rebounds.

All five Skyhawk starters put up solid numbers, topped by Heather Butler with 27 points and Jasmine Newcome with 24 points and seven rebounds. Perica Glenn added eight points and eight rebounds, Taylor Hall had seven points and eight rebounds, and Jaclissa Haislip had seven points and six boards.

The Skyhawks had a narrow, 39-34 edge in rebounds.

The game wa a virtual standoff in the first half, despite 30 combined points from Newsome (19) and Butler (11). Tech shot 52 percent in the opening half to offset the scoring and Harris led Tech with13 as the Golden Eagles went to the break within eight points, 43-35.

A layup by Harris with 3:31 to play before the break pushed the Golden Eagles on top, 33-32, before UTM closed the half on an 11-2 run for its halftime advantage.

Things stayed close through the first 10 minutes of the second half, with Tech pulling to within four a couple times. The Golden Eagles were within five points at 56-51 after Heady hit two free throws, but the tide turned quickly in favor of the home team.

Tech had two turnovers and missed four consecutive shots and UTM made five of its next seven shots to open a comfortable lead. Tech answered with just one basket over the next seven minutes, and suddenly the Skyhawks owned a 20-point lead. The final 22-point margin was the largest difference in the game.

The Golden Eagles look to bounce back quickly with a visit Monday night to SIU Edwardsville. Tipoff is at 7 p.m.