Box Score (PDF)

MARTIN, Tenn. – Host UT Martin opened the second half on a 23-3 run and never looked back in an 85-68 win over the Eastern Kentucky University men's basketball team on Saturday night at the Elam Center.
 
The game was a tale of two halves. EKU (10-16, 3-8 OVC) shot 54 percent (14-of-26) from the field and knocked down nine three-pointers in the first 20 minutes of action. The Colonels closed the first half on a 7-0 run and a layup by freshman Asante Gist gave EKU a 39-33 lead at the break.
 
UTM (17-9, 7-4 OVC), however, exploded out of the locker room, as a jumper by Jacolby Mobley capped a 23-3 run to open the second half and gave the Skyhawks a 56-42 advantage with 13:01 remaining in the game. The Colonels trailed by double digits the rest of the way.
 
Junior Dillon Avare poured in a career-high 21 points in the loss. The Lexington native came off the bench and knocked down five three-pointers in the first half. He hit two more in the second half to finish with seven, which is the most by any Colonel in a game this season.
 
As a team, EKU connected on a season-high 15 three-pointers in the game.
 
Sophomore Nick Mayo matched a career-high with three triples and finished with 17 points, five rebounds and three assists. Gist contributed 13 points and a team-best five assists.
 
Two Skyhawks recorded a double-double on the night. Javier Martinez had 18 points and 12 rebounds, while Chandler Rowe notched 10 points and 10 boards.
 
Eastern stifled UT Martin to 39 percent shooting (12-of-31) from the floor in the first half; however, the Skyhawks scorched the nets at a 62 percent clip (18-of-29) in the second half.
 
UTM also out-rebounded EKU, 37-23, and out-scored the Colonels in the paint, 38-14.
 
EKU returns to action next Saturday, February 11, when the Colonels welcome in-state rival Morehead State to McBrayer Arena. Tip-off is scheduled for 7:00 p.m.