MARTIN, Tenn. – Five University of Tennessee at Martin men’s basketball players reached double-figures in the scoring column this afternoon as the Skyhawks soared past Illinois College 109-79 in exhibition action at the Kathleen and Tom Elam Center.
UT Martin took control of the game midway through the first half and never trailed from that point on. As a team, the Skyhawks made exactly half of their shot attempts from the floor (42-for-84), while draining a sizzling 66.7 percent from beyond the three-point arc (16-for-24). UT Martin – who led by 40 midway through the second half – outrebounded the visiting Blueboys by a 49-29 margin and handed out 27 assists against only eight turnovers.
The Skyhawks led 61-43 at the half and used a 17-2 run early in the second half to eventually lead 97-57 with 10:26 remaining.
Junior transfer Bobby Jones led the way with 27 points (9-of-13 shooting, 5-for-7 from three-point range) in 25 minutes, five rebounds and five steals. Myles Taylor posted a double-double (19 points, 10 rebounds) while Mike Liabo tallied 16 points, six rebounds and six assists. Newcomers Justin Childs (14 points, four 3-pointers) and BJ McLaughlin (12 points, six rebounds in 15 minutes) also recorded impressive performances today.
“We came out and made a bunch of shots,” UT Martin head coach Jason James said. “It really helps our offense when we have guys who can stretch the defense like that. We have a lot of guys who can put the ball in the hole in a lot of different ways and that really showed today.”
The Skyhawks officially open the 2012-13 season next Friday, Nov. 9 when they travel to Arkansas-Little Rock at 7 p.m. UT Martin’s home opener is set for Wednesday, Nov. 14 against Fontbonne at 7 p.m.