UT Martin secured a 65-59 victory over SIU Edwardsville at the Kathleen and Tom Elam Center, thanks in large part to a strong outing from Filip Radaković. The Skyhawk forward scored 16 points and grabbed 8 rebounds, helping his team maintain a narrow lead throughout the contest. Radaković's performance was complemented by Andrija Bukumirović's 14 points and 10 rebounds, as well as Matas Deniusas's 11 points and 11 rebounds, showcasing the depth of UT Martin's roster.
The first half saw UT Martin take a slim 28-27 lead into the break, with neither team able to gain a significant advantage. SIU Edwardsville's Darrion Baker kept his team in the game, scoring 15 points on the night, including several key baskets to keep the Cougars within striking distance. Arnas Sakenis and CJ Hall also contributed to the SIU Edwardsville effort, scoring 12 and 11 points, respectively. However, UT Martin's balanced attack ultimately proved too much for the Cougars to overcome.
As the second half got underway, UT Martin began to pull away, using a combination of tough defense and timely scoring to build a lead that would prove insurmountable for SIU Edwardsville. Despite a late push from the Cougars, the Skyhawks held firm, securing the 65-59 win. The victory marked UT Martin's 15th of the season, improving their record to 15-5.
The win will be classified as a Quadrant 4 victory for UT Martin, which may not significantly boost their tournament resume but still represents a valuable win for the Skyhawks. On the other hand, SIU Edwardsville will see this loss as a Quadrant 3 defeat, which could have implications for their own postseason hopes. The Cougars, now 13-8 on the season, must regroup and refocus as they continue their campaign.
In the end, UT Martin's strong team performance and the standout effort from Radaković was the difference-makers in this closely contested matchup. As the season wears on, the Skyhawks want to build on this win and continue to strengthen their tournament resume. With a current net ranking of 190, UT Martin still has work to do to secure a spot in the postseason, but victories like this one will certainly help their cause. For SIU Edwardsville, the loss serves as a reminder of the challenges that lie ahead, and the Cougars must respond quickly to stay in the hunt for a tournament berth.