UT Martin Skyhawks @ Eastern Illinois Panthers
Eastern Illinois rallies to beat UT-Martin 91-79
CHARLESTON, Ill. -- Sherman Blanford scored a career-high 30 points Thursday, 23 in the second half, and Eastern Illinois rallied to beat UT-Martin 91-79, handing the Skyhawks their third-straight loss.
Dylan Chatman scored 17, Josh Piper and Alex Austin had 11 each, and Eastern Illinois (9-14, 6-5 Ohio Valley) avenged a Jan. 23, 84-77 loss to UT-Martin.
UT-Martin (7-18, 2-8) led 18-16 on a jumper by Terence Smith, then pulled ahead on a 10-1 run. Aaron Siler's trey made it a two-point game, but UT-Martin's Smith and Marshun Newell hit two 3-pointers apiece and the Skyhawks led 47-37 at halftime.
Blanford's jumper opened a 13-4 second-half run and the Panthers took a 59-57 lead on a 3-pointer by Piper, then pulled away on a 14-0 run and cruised. The Panthers shot 56.4 percent to the Skyhawks' 46.9 percent.
Myles Taylor led UT-Martin with 17, Smith had 14, Newell 12, and Dee Oldham 10.
Game Information
Charleston, IL
Referee:Stephen Divine
Referee:Richard Grimshaw
Referee:Alfred Smith
2025-26 Standings
| Ohio Valley ConferenceOhio Valley Conference | CONF | GB | OVR |
|---|---|---|---|
| Tennessee State | 15-5 | - | 23-10 |
| Morehead State | 15-5 | - | 20-13 |
| Southeast Missouri State | 14-6 | 1 | 20-13 |
| UT Martin | 13-7 | 2 | 22-11 |
| SIU Edwardsville | 12-8 | 3 | 19-13 |
| Lindenwood | 11-9 | 4 | 18-15 |
| Little Rock | 9-11 | 6 | 12-20 |
| Tennessee Tech | 8-12 | 7 | 13-18 |
| Eastern Illinois | 8-12 | 7 | 13-20 |
| Southern Indiana | 4-16 | 11 | 7-23 |
| Western Illinois | 1-19 | 14 | 5-26 |
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