The Tennessee Tech men's basketball team lost to UT Martin 80-69 after a strong second-half surge by the Skyhawks, who are now tied for the lead in the Ohio Valley Conference. UT Martin's victory was fueled by a big second-half offensive explosion, allowing them to secure their sixth straight win. The Golden Eagles struggled in the turnover battle and on the offensive glass, providing the Skyhawks with numerous field goal attempts. Despite out-rebounding and out-shooting their opponents, Tech was unable to match Martin's three-point shooting, with the Skyhawks hitting 14-of-33 attempts from downtown compared to Tech's 7-for-21.

By the Numbers
  • UT Martin's Jordan Sears scored a game-high 28 points with five three-pointers, 7-for-8 from the free-throw line, and seven assists.
  • UT Martin's Desmond Williams scored 16 points with four three-pointers, contributing to the team's strong outside shooting.
  • Tech's Josiah Davis led the team with 20 points on 9-for-14 shooting and five rebounds.
  • The Skyhawks are now tied for first place in the league with Morehead State and Little Rock, heading into the final contest of the regular season.
State of Play
  • UT Martin is tied for the lead in the Ohio Valley Conference with a six-game winning streak.
  • Tech needs a victory against Little Rock and help from other teams to secure a spot in the league tournament next week.
  • Tech's journey to the tournament depends on the outcomes of their game against the Trojans, Southern Indiana's game against Southeast Missouri, and Morehead State's game against Lindenwood.
Bottom Line

UT Martin's strong second-half performance, particularly in three-point shooting, allowed them to secure a crucial victory, positioning them at the top of the Ohio Valley Conference. Tech faces a challenging path to the league tournament, needing a win against Little Rock and favorable outcomes from other games.