CHARLESTON, Ill. – The University of Tennessee at Martin women’s basketball team nearly erased a 17-point third quarter deficit against Eastern Illinois, but ultimately fell, 66-62, at Groniger Arena in Charleston Saturday afternoon.
The Skyhawks led by one at the end of the first quarter, 18-17, but a cold shooting spell plagued them in the second and third quarters, as they went just 5-for-20 over the middle 20 minutes of the game.
In the fourth quarter, UT Martin whittled Eastern Illinois’ 14-point lead down to just three with a little over three minutes remaining in the game. Despite the Panthers ballooning the lead back up to eight, the Skyhawks were able to cut the lead to four, but that would be as close as they would come.
Anaya Brown led all scorers in the game with 25 points on 9-of-17 shooting including a six-for-six performance at the free throw line. She also pulled down team-highs of five rebounds, three steals and one block on the afternoon.
The Skyhawks return home to Martin Tuesday to host Tennessee States, beginning a stretch of three home games over the final four games of the regular season. Tip-off against the Tigers at the Elam Center is scheduled for 5:30 p.m.
