Guard duo continues shot at foes, records

NASHVILLE — Junior guards Heather Butler and Jasmine Newsome scored 31 points each to lead UT Martin to a 77-58 victory over host Tennessee State Monday night at the Gentry Center.
It was the first 15 minutes of the game that was stellar for the Skyhawks. After a 10-all tie, the Skyhawks went on a 14-0 run and never looked back.
UTM (13-14, 8-5 OVC) led 44-28 at the half.
While Newsome kept the offense going with 24 first-half points and four 3-pointers, it was the Skyhawk defense that stood out. The defense forced 12 TSU turnovers and outscored the Tigers 11-2 off the turnovers.
Rickiesha Bryant had four first-half blocks and seven rebounds as the Skyhawks battled TSU evenly on the boards 17-17. The senior finished the game with eight points, nine rebounds and she tied a career-best six blocks.
Like the last five minutes of the first half where the Skyhawks missed six consecutive free throws, the Skyhawks slowed down in the opening minutes of the second half. Newsome missed her first three field goals of the half.
Butler answered the challenge. She went 10-for-10 at the free throw line and scored 19-second half points.
Tennessee State was led by Chelsea Hudson with 17 points and Simone Hopes with nine points and nine rebounds.
The Skyhawks will return to action Saturday when they meet OVC East rival Murray State at the CFSB Center in Murray. Tipoff is set for 2 p.m.
SATURDAY’S GAMES
UTM 75, SEMO 61
UT Martin seniors Shelby Crawford and Rickiesha Bryant came up big on Senior Day.
Crawford finished the game with a career-high 11 points and five rebounds, while Bryant recorded her sixth-career double-double with 10 points and 13 rebounds to lead UTM to a 75-61 victory over visiting Southeast Missouri State in the Elam Center Saturday afternoon.
Newsome and Butler tossed in 27 and 23 points, respectively. Newsome is now UTM’s second all-time leading scorer with 1,764 points.
SEMO 96, UTM 74 (M)
Terence Smith poured in a game-high 26 points, but UT Martin suffered a 96-74 loss to Southeast Missouri in men’s basketball action Saturday at the Elam Center.

Published in The WCP 2.21.13

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