MARTIN, Tenn. – A tightly contested battle at the Kathleen and Tom Elam Center ended in heartbreak for the University of Tennessee at Martin Skyhawks on Tuesday night, as the Southeast Missouri Redhawks secured a 56-53 overtime victory. The loss, the first overtime decision of the 2025-26 season for UT Martin, leaves both teams with a 12-5 record in Ohio Valley Conference play. The game was a defensive struggle throughout, with both teams battling for every possession.
The Skyhawks (20-8 overall) faced a ten-point deficit at halftime but mounted a determined comeback, briefly taking a two-point lead with 3:42 remaining in regulation. However, they struggled to uncover their rhythm in the extra period, shooting just 16.7 percent from the field (1-of-6) and committing four crucial turnovers. The Redhawks (17-11 overall) capitalized on these miscues, ultimately securing the win and a share of first place in the OVC standings.
Freshman Duo Leads Skyhawks in Scoring
Despite the loss, UT Martin found strong offensive contributions from its freshman class. Matas Deniusas led all scorers with 17 points, while Pedro Santos added 16. Damien King contributed nine points and a team-high three steals in 23 minutes of play. The Skyhawks’ defensive effort forced Southeast Missouri into 19 turnovers and limited them to 29.8 percent shooting from the floor, including a dismal 22.7 percent from three-point range.
Defensive Battle and Second-Half Comeback
The first half saw Southeast Missouri establish an early lead, building an 18-9 advantage midway through the period. The Redhawks extended their lead to 23-13 before a defensive clampdown from both sides limited scoring opportunities. Southeast Missouri entered halftime with a 26-16 lead, led by Brendan Terry’s eight points.
UT Martin emerged from the break with renewed energy, embarking on an 11-2 run to cut the deficit to 30-27 after a swift-break three-pointer by Deniusas. Southeast Missouri responded with an 8-3 run, regaining a 38-30 lead. However, the Skyhawks continued to fight, tying the game at 38-all with a steal and layup from Santos. Another basket by Santos gave UT Martin a brief 44-42 lead with 3:42 left in regulation.
Overtime Heartbreak and Key Absences
Southeast Missouri regained the lead late in the second half, but a free throw from King, a layup by Santos, and a strong defensive stand forced the game into overtime at 47-all. Deniusas opened the overtime period with a pair of free throws, but it proved to be the Skyhawks’ final lead of the night. Trailing by a single point with 1:36 remaining, UT Martin couldn’t overcome the Redhawks’ clutch free-throw shooting down the stretch.
UT Martin head coach Jeremy Shulman acknowledged the team’s slow start and the absence of starting point guard Filip Petkovski as contributing factors to the loss. “We didn’t come out ready to play,” Shulman said. “We missed our starting point guard Filip Petkovski pretty badly tonight – we couldn’t execute at times. I give credit to Southeast Missouri but we let another one get away. I thought we guarded extremely well but it was definitely a frustrating night.”
Looking Ahead to Little Rock
The Skyhawks face a quick turnaround, traveling to Little Rock to take on the Trojans on Thursday, February 19. Tipoff from the Jack Stephens Center is scheduled for 7 p.m. CT and will be broadcast on ESPN+. This game represents a crucial opportunity for UT Martin to rebound from the tough loss and continue its pursuit of a top spot in the OVC standings. The team will need to rediscover its offensive rhythm and capitalize on its defensive strengths to secure a victory on the road.
Fans can find more information about the UT Martin Skyhawks men’s basketball team, including schedules, scores, and news, on the official UT Martin Athletics website.
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