Women vs. Spalding University

The Skyhawk women’s basketball team made new head coach Tara Tansil’s debut at UTM a happy one as they defeated Spalding University, 79-59, in their first exhibition game of the 2004-05 season.

Tansil, a former UTM player and assistant coach, is beginning her first season as UTM’s head coach.

Both offenses started slowly, but the Skyhawks sent the message early that they were in control. They built their lead through stifling defense and possession of loose balls.

By forcing turnovers they were able to control the pace of the game. The lead was ten barely eight minutes into the game. From there, the Skyhawks went on an 8-3 run to force a Spalding timeout. They continued to pour it on and eventually stretched the lead to 34-19 with 6:29 remaining before halftime.

The teams played evenly in the final minutes before junior guard Keva Robinson hit a floating shot from the lane at the buzzer to send the Skyhawks to the locker room with a comfortable 47-35 halftime lead.

“We executed well in the first half in the half-court and against the press, but we did not do a good job on the glass,” said coach Tansil.

In the second half, Spalding turned up the pressure on both ends of the floor, and the overall tempo of the game slowed.
The Skyhawks struggled to find a rhythm on offense, but their poor shooting was duplicated by the Lady Pelicans on the other end of the court.

The Skyhawks’ advantage hovered around 15 points throughout the half.

Finally, with around four minutes remaining, the Skyhawks began to pull away, stretching the lead to 70-53. By the three- minute mark the lead was 20 points. The Skyhawks had three players in double figures, led by sophomore forward Andrieka Jackson’s 18 points.

Junior guard Keva Robinson scored 12 points, and senior guard Chandra Carey added 11.

The Skyhawks open their season on November 19 against the Purple Aces of Evansville University. Tip-off is scheduled for 11:30 a.m.

Men vs. Lambuth University

The Skyhawks men’s basketball team saw a 12- point halftime advantage disappear and a frantic final-minute rally come up short as they lost an exhibition game to Lambuth, 98-92. Powered by their stifling defense and fast breaks created by turnovers, the Skyhawks were able to turn what was a close game in the first 10 minutes into a comfortable advantage at the half.

Lambuth was unable to handle the quickness and ball movement of the Skyhawks, leading to many scoring opportunities.

After battling back and forth with the Eagles, the Skyhawks pulled away for a 48-36 lead at the final media timeout of the half. At the end of the half, the score was 54-42 in favor of UTM.

Ten different players scored for the Skyhawks in the first half, led by junior Jason Thompson with 12 points. Lambuth’s Chris Cole led all scorers with 18 points in the first half and 32 for the game.

The second half was much different from the first half as Lambuth charged out of the locker room with a 7-0 run, forcing a timeout by the Skyhawks.

The fierce play continued once play resumed, and when the Eagles claimed the lead at 63-62, Coach Campbell was forced to use another timeout to settle his team down.

Though rattled by Lambuth’s strong run, the Skyahwks refused to let them take the game without a fight. They stayed within striking distance and trailed by only one, 72-71, after sophomore guard Justin Flatt knocked down two free throws. Turnovers and missed free throws down the stretch hurt the Skyhawks’ attempts to pull even with the Eagles.

After a couple of UTM turnovers, Lambuth extended the lead to 83-75 at the final media timeout.

After the timeout, the Skyhawks began a furious comeback.
Free throws by senior forward Chris Carter pulled the team to within five points with 3:14 remaining.

Those free throws ignited a 13-1 Skyhawk run, and with 16.5 seconds remaining in the game, UTM trailed 93-88.

From there, the Skyhawks were forced to foul in order to stop the clock and give themselves an opportunity to get the ball back.

Both teams shot well from the floor as Lambuth hit 56 percent of their shots and the Skyhawks hit 52 percent.

Lambuth edged the Skyhawks at the free- throw line, 59 percent to 58 percent. The teams were even on the boards with 38 rebounds each.

The teams were close in foul territory as well, with the Skyhawks picking up 26, the Eagles, 25.

Six Skyhawks scored in double figures.

Junior Jason Thompson posted a double-double in his first game for the Skyhawks with 14 points and 11 rebounds.

The Skyhawks open the regular season on November 20 at 6:00 when they visit the Duke Blue Devils at Cameron Indoor Stadium in Durham, N.C. The game will be televised on Fox Sports South.