By Holly Weber, TTU Sports Information Coordinator

MARTIN, Tenn.—The Tennessee Tech women's basketball team (5-13, 1-4 OVC) came up short against UT Martin (9-7, 2-1 OVC) on its final away game of a three-game road showcase. Despite numerous players being out sick with a stomach virus, the Skyhawks defeated the Golden Eagles 67-53, by picking up extra points from draining shots from beyond the arc.

In the first quarter, UT Martin's only points from the field came from 3-point range. The SKyhawks connected on 5-of-7 from beyond the arc and added 4-of-4 from the line to take a 19-11 lead.

The Skyhawks' first points from inside the arc came from Shy Copney in the second quarter at the 6:23 mark. UT Martin continued to develop its lead and pulled ahead by seven points, 26-19, with three minutes remaining in the first half. The Skyhawks rounded out the first half with two free throws from Chelsea Roberts to lead the Golden Eagles, 32-22 at halftime.

At the half, Tech gave up 10 turnovers to UT Martin's five. The Golden Eagles shot 43.5 percent from the field without making a shot from 3-point range, and 40 percent from the line. In comparison, the Skyhawks shot 41.7 percent from the floor, 54.5 percent from beyond the arc, and 100 percent at the line.

Tech struggled a little going into the second half, giving up three turnovers in the first three minutes of the third quarter. UT Martin continued to apply pressure and a layup from the Haley Howard gave UTM a 36-25 lead with 7:20 left in the quarter. UT Martin closed out the third quarter leading 47-33.

The Skyhawks again came out on fire in the fourth quarter. UT Martin's Katie Schubert dropped a three at the 9:28 mark to open fourth quarter play and push the Skyhawk lead to 50-33. The Golden Eagles continued to battle and a 3-pointer from Yaktavia Hickson pulled Tech within 13 with 7:43 remaining in the game. Tech posted another three when Goolsby sunk a shot following a feed from Lindsey Jennings at the 6:08 mark.

Samaria Howard posted her first double-double of the season, leading Tech with 14 points and 11 rebounds. Two other Golden Eagles scored in double figures, Hickson posting 12 points while senior Mariah Dean had 11. Haley Howard led UT Martin with 13 points and six rebounds.

As a team, Tech shot 47.8 percent from the field, 28.6 percent from the 3-point range, and 41.7 percent from the line, while the Skyhawks shot 42.4 percent from the floor, 31 percent from beyond the arc, and 80 percent from the line.

The Golden Eagles return to action Saturday when they host Southeast Missouri in a 5:30 p.m. contest at the Eblen Center to open a doubleheader against the Redhawks with the men's contest to follow. The event features some special promotions, including Cumberland County and White County Night, with one dollar admission available to residents of those two neighboring counties. It is also Youth Basketball Night, with free admission to youth players and coaches, and three dollar tickets available to family members of the youth players.

For ticket information, visit or call the Athletics Ticket Office in Eblen Center (931-372-3940).