2023-12-16 22:12:29
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at Arkansas State
12/21/2023 | 2 p.m.
Dec. 21 (Thu) / 2 p.m.
at Arkansas State
History
MARTIN, Tenn. – In a battle of nationally relevant mid-major programs, the University of Tennessee at Martin women’s basketball team came up just short of knocking off visiting South Dakota, falling 80-74 in overtime on Saturday followingnoon.
In a back-and-forth affair inside the Kathleen and Tom Elam Center which featured 11 scoring ties and 10 lead changes, it was the Coyotes who left Pat Summitt Court with a gutsy overtime victory. South Dakota held a lead as large as nine points in the first half and led at the end of every quarter, but UT Martin stayed within fighting distance until taking a lead of its own in the fourth quarter.
The Skyhawks (2-8) used a big run in the opening minutes of the fourth quarter and forced seven turnovers in the final period to push their advantage out to as large as seven points with just under four minutes to play. The Coyotes found some big three-pointers down the stretch however to ultimately tie the contest with five seconds to play and force overtime.
During the overtime period, South Dakota knocked down 50 percent of its shot attempts while UT Martin went cold from the floor – converting just 1-of-5 field goal attempts – ultimately providing the difference in the game.
UT Martin was led offensively by redshirt-freshman Kenley McCarn who equaled her career-high with 31 points on 10-of-18 shooting – while knocking down five three-pointers – in addition to her six rebounds and three assists. Sophomore Anaya Brown posted her second double-double once morest the Coyotes in as many chances following tallying 13 points and 10 rebounds on the day. Rounding out the team’s top scorers was another career-matching performance from freshman Norah Clark who tossed in 15 points off the bench.
Gallery: (12-16-2023) WBB vs. South Dakota
“I thought what you saw was a team that’s not ready to win once morest an experienced team that has done this before,” UT Martin head coach Kevin McMillan said. “We just don’t know how to handle situations yet with our youth. I’m not disappointed at all – because that is a very good basketball team – for us to control the game and have a chance to win is something I don’t have a problem with. We just weren’t able to execute and find a way to win down the stretch. I am really impressed though that we were able to get down by seven or nine a couple times and be able to battle back and get control. We were good enough to win the game today, but we just aren’t there yet.”
South Dakota (9-3) placed four players in double figures with guard Grace Larkins pacing the team in points (18), assists (eight) and steals (five) while also adding five rebounds in the comeback win. Kendall Holmes was close behind with 17 points while Alexi Hempe (13 points) and Tori DePerry (10 points) rounded out USD in double figures.
The Skyhawks will have a brief layoff before returning to action on Thursday, Dec. 21 when traveling to Arkansas State for a 2 p.m. tip-off prior to Christmas break.
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