SKYHAWK MEN’S BASKETBALL CLASHES AGAINST FIRST-YEAR OVC MEMBER LINDENWOOD TOMORROW FOR FIRST TIME IN OVER FOUR DECADES

History Links MARTIN, Tenn. — Owners of the best home record of any program in the Ohio Valley Conference, the University of Tennessee men’s basketball team at Martin looks to successfully defend the Kathleen and Tom Elam Center a again when he takes on Lindenwood. Tipoff on Thursday January 26 has been moved to 6 p.m.

The Skyhawks are 10-1 this season when playing at home, which is already tied for the fourth-most single-season home wins in UT Martin’s NCAA Division I. (since 1992). The Skyhawks are averaging 91.5 points per game when playing in front of home fans in 2022-23.

UT Martin (13-8, 5-3 OVC) is currently tied at six for first place in the OVC standings after picking up a pair of wins last week. In wins over Southeast Missouri and Eastern Illinois, the Skyhawks hit 56.6 percent (64 of 113) of their shot attempts while holding off the opposition with a paltry shooting effort of 18.2 percent (8 for 44) from three-point field.

In last Saturday’s triumph over Eastern Illinois, UT Martin placed all five starters scoring in double figures. Chris Nix (7 of 7 shooting, season-best three blocks) and Parker Stewart (season-best 8 rebounds) shared the team lead with 19 points while KJ Simon (16 points, season-best six assists in career), Jordan Sears (15 points, five assists) and Jalen Myers (10 points) also paced the Skyhawks.

This marks UT Martin’s first meeting on the hardwood against the Lions since the 1980-81 season opener (a 107-46 win inside the Elam Center).

Lindenwood (7-14, 2-6 OVC) comes into the game having lost its last five outings but beat OVC rivals Tennessee Tech and Little Rock (both of whom beat the Skyhawks). The Lions are coming off a 72-63 home loss to Morehead State on Saturday, despite posting a record 20 points over Kevin Caldwell, Jr. Cam Burrell (11 points) and Keenon Cole (11 points) also guided Lindenwood, which dominates the OVC in free throw percentage (.778) and blocks (3.9 per game) in the league.

Chris Brinkley (play-by-play) and Eddie Suiter (color) will broadcast the game live on ESPN+ and locally on WCMT Radio 1410 AM/100.5 FM. These links, as well as a link to follow with live stats, can be found above.