Salukis fall to UT Martin in first road game
November 9, 2018
The SIU Women’s Basketball team fell in their first road game to the University of Tennessee Martin Skyhawks losing the game 94-95.
Tonight’s game marked the 20th meeting of the two teams dating back to 1973.
The Salukis trail the Skyhawks in the all-time series 11-9 with a win being added to UTM after tonight’s game.
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Southern immediately took the lead in the first period going on a 9-0 scoring run against the Skyhawks, with layups from freshman guard Payton Mccallister and junior forward Nicole Martin.
In addition to these baskets, there also was a layup and three-pointer from sophomore forward Abby Brockmeyer.
The Dawgs continued to pull away and stretch their lead in the first period.
Despite SIU’s quick start, UT Martin slowly began to chip away at the Saluki lead bringing the deficit within seven points.
Southern remained in the lead at the end of the quarter with the score being 30-23.
The second quarter opened with four unanswered buckets from the Skyhawks to push themselves into the lead by one over the Salukis with the score at 31-30.
The score remained close throughout the second quarter with the Dawgs and Skyhawks responding to each other’s baskets.
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UT Martin then took off in the last 40 seconds of the half to score five unanswered baskets against the Salukis to solidify a 56-45 lead at the end of the half.
In the second quarter, SIU had three-pointers from Mccallister and another three-pointer and short jump shot from sophomore guard Makenzie Silvey.
Mccallister finished tonight’s game with 12 points and five assists, while Silvey finished leading the team with 29 points and five assists.
Quarter three began with the Skyhawks extending their lead with another five consecutive buckets.
Southern made efforts to respond to UTM’s stretching lead with two layups each from Silvey and Brockmeyer and a jumper from Mccallister.
Brockmeyer went on to finish the night with a double-double having 20 points and 11 rebounds.
The Dawgs continued to rally and chip away at the deficit with two baskets from junior center Lauren Hartman and Silvey, a basket from Brockmeyer, and a pair of free throws from junior guard Brittney Patrick.
The third quarter ended with SIU down by just three points to the Skyhawks.
The fourth quarter saw the score quickly tie as Silvey put up a three-point jumper in the first minute of the final quarter.
A layup by Martin then gave the Salukis a one-point lead with the score at 74-72.
Southern continued to extend their lead, but the Skyhawks fought back every step of the way and eventually regained the lead over the Dawgs.
In the last 30 seconds of the quarter, Martin scored a fast break layup to shrink the deficit to only three points.
Despite SIU’s last-ditch efforts to take the lead, UTM was able to hold on to their one-point lead.
The Salukis will be back on their home court Wednesday, Nov. 14, against the SEMO Redhawks. Tip-off is set for 12 p.m.
Sports reporter Tamar Mosby can be reached at tmosby@dailyegyptian.com or on Twitter at @mosbytamar.
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