Before the ’05-’06 season began, the women’s basketball team predicted that one of its biggest obstacles would be winning on the road. Victories in other arenas were a big off-season focus since 15 of the Skyhawks’ 19 losses came on the road last season.

After dropping six-of-seven games not played in the Elam Center, the Skyhawks went to Austin Peay last Thursday looking to pick up that elusive second road win. Unfortunately for the Skyhawks, it remained just out of reach as they fell to the Lady Govs, 62-59 in overtime.

The first half found the Skyhawks jumping out to a nine point lead, 13-4, just seven minutes into the game on a jumper by UTM’s leading scorer and lone senior, Keva Robinson.

The Skyhawks managed to stay around that nine point margin, being up by as many as 11 with 1:40 left in the half. Headed into the break, UTM had the advantage, 36-25.

Overall, the Skyhawks dominated the Lady Govs in the first half, picking up 16 rebounds to APSU’s nine. The Skyhawks also turned the ball over just five times to Peay’s nine. UTM managed to hold the Lady Govs to a 47.6 shooting percentage from the field.

Early in the second half, the Skyhawks looked as if they might pull out the victory as they increased their lead to 42-29 off a jumper by sophomore Crystal Fuller and a pair of layups by junior Andreika Jackson.

The Skyhawks managed to dominate the inside game and it wasn’t until Austin Peay went on a 10-2 point run that they were able to close the gap to 48-49. A lay up by Robinson gave UTM the lead with seven and a half minutes left to play.

The Lady Govs refused to let the Skyhawks pull away and tied the game at 54-all with 2:10 still remaining in the game. Neither team was able to score again in regulation and the game headed to overtime.

Scoring in overtime got off to a slow start with Austin Peay making the first basket with over two of the extra five minutes already gone. Another bucket gave the Lady Govs a four point lead but Jackson answered back with a layup in the paint to put the score at 58-56.

An Austin Peay 3-pointer gave them a five point lead, their biggest of the night. Junior Deina Willingham who helped Jackson with the inside game all night, hit 1-of-2 from the free throw line with 1:22 left to pull the Skyhawks to within four.

Fuller put up a huge jumper with 49 seconds left to put the score at 61-59, but then committed a foul twenty seconds later. After the Lady Govs went 1-and-1 at the line, the Skyhawks saw the potential tie ahead of them.

With seven seconds left to play, Jackson stole the ball and headed up court, only to fall with no foul called by the officials. Robinson’s 3-point attempt at the buzzer was no good and the Skyhawks dropped another road game.

Robinson led the pack for UTM with 19 points and three steals. Right behind her was Jackson with the double-double of 18 points and 12 rebounds. Willingham finished the night in double digits as well with 10 points and just one rebound shy of her fifth double-double of the season.

From the field, the Skyhawks shot just over 41 percent and 21 percent from beyond the arc.