UT Martin's Andrija Bukumirović stole the show at Groniger Arena, scoring 21 points and grabbing 9 rebounds to lead the Skyhawks to a 76-68 win over Eastern Illinois. The victory marked a strong performance by UT Martin, who was predicted to win by 8.5 points by CHD Scout, and they delivered, winning by 8 points. The predicted score was 64-72, but both teams exceeded expectations, with UT Martin ultimately emerging on top.
The game was closely contested in the first half, with both teams scoring 37 points to head into the break tied. Terry McMorris was a bright spot for Eastern Illinois, scoring 15 points and pulling down 8 rebounds, but it wasn't enough to overcome the balanced attack of UT Martin. Bukumirović was joined by Damien King, who added 17 points, and Afan Trnka, who chipped in with 10 points and 6 rebounds.
In the second half, UT Martin began to pull away, outscoring Eastern Illinois 39-31. The Skyhawks' ability to score from both inside and outside was too much for the Panthers to handle. Meechie White and Kooper Jacobi tried to keep Eastern Illinois in the game, scoring 14 and 9 points respectively, but UT Martin's depth and talent ultimately won out.
CHD Scout Report Card
CORRECTPredicted
Final
The win is a significant one for UT Martin, who improved to 16-5 on the season. While it may not have been an upset, the Skyhawks' performance is a reflection of their strength as a team. CHD Scout's prediction of a UT Martin win by 8.5 points was accurate, and the Skyhawks' ability to deliver on that prediction is a positive sign for their tournament chances.
For Eastern Illinois, the loss drops them to 9-13 on the season. While the Panthers put up a good fight, they ultimately came up short. The game was classified as a Quadrant 4 game for both teams, which means it won't have a significant impact on their tournament resumes. However, for UT Martin, the win is still a valuable one, as it helps to bolster their overall record and demonstrates their ability to win on the road.
The implications of this result are clear: UT Martin is a team to be taken seriously, and their performance against Eastern Illinois is a reflection of their skill and depth. While the win may not have been a significant upset, it's a valuable addition to the Skyhawks' resume, and it will be interesting to see how they continue to perform as the season progresses. With their current net ranking of 191, UT Martin is still on the outside looking in when it comes to the tournament, but wins like this one will help to improve their chances.