UTM Skyhawks Women’s team grabbed an important conference victory in their Ohio Valley Conference home opener last night at Skyhawk Arena, beating Jacksonville State 79-70.

The conference win ended a four game losing streak and put the team back on the right track going into the second half of the season.

The Game would be a tough one for the Skyhawks. IT was tied eight times on the night including nine lead changes all in the first half.

The Skyhawks lit up the floor in the first half going 14 of 29 from the floor (including 3 for 8 from beyond the three-point arc) and nailing all six free-throws to put up a total of 37 points in the first half.

Jacksonville State kept within striking distance by nailing 13 shot from the floor and three from beyond the arc to put up 31 points in the half, but trail by six at the break.

The second half would be key for both teams in this nip-and-tuck game.

The bench would prove key for the Skyhawks as one of their leading scorers and rebounders, freshman Andreika Jackson, grabbed her second double-double on the night.

UTM would put up an impressive 42 points in the second frame. The Skyhawks shot 9 for 24 from the floor, but the charity stripe is where they made money.

UTM shot an amazing 23 for 25 from the free-throw line to go 94 percent on the night.

The charity stripe wasn’t the only place the Skyhawks performed well. UTM crashed the boards for 35 rebounds including 10 offensive boards. The Skyhawks put up 20 points in the paint and 24 off of turnovers, of which they forced 18.

Jacksonville State played hard in the second as well, but just couldn’t grab the advantage.

JSU put up 39 points in the second frame and shot 42 percent from the floor, but UTM’s near perfect charity stripe performance was their undoing.

Forward Shanika Freeman led the Gamecocks with 23 points and 12 rebounds on the night. Guard Courtney slaughter added 15 of her own and Cobie Carlisle came off the bench to put 11.

Forward Jenny Lannom and guard Tiffany Brundige lead the Skyhawks with 15 points on the night and forward Julie Young put up 14 of her own. Jackson came off the bench to put up 11 points and 11 rebounds.

The Skyhawks improved to 4-9 on the year and 1-2 in the OVC. They will next take on OVC foe Samford tomorrow night at the Skyhawk Arena at 4 p.m.