Despite 21 points from junior Zy Thompson and a fourth-quarter rally, the University of Tennessee Martin could not overcome a five-point third quarter and fell to Lindenwood, 54-49, Thursday evening at Hyland Arena in Saint Charles.
The Skyhawks came out of the gates firing on all cylinders and outscored Lindenwood, 17-9, in the first quarter. However, in the second, the Lions clawed their way back by scoring 20 points and took a 29-28 lead into the locker room at the half.
In the third quarter, the Skyhawks made just two field goals and shot just 13.3-percent from the field. Lindenwood led by as many as 12 in the fourth quarter, but a 14-3 run helped UT Martin cut the lead to just one with 2:51 to play. Despite the rally, UT Martin could not close the gap and was outscored 6-2 down the stretch and also held to no field goals over the same time frame.
Thompson scored 21 of UT Martin’s 49 points in the game on 9-for-13 shooting. Kenley McCarn added 12 points, while also pulling down a game-high eight rebounds.
This Saturday, the Skyhawks will look to bounce back when they travel to SIUE to take on the Cougars at 1 p.m. on Talk and News You Can Use on WCMT 91.7, 96.1, 99.7, 100.5, 103.3 and 1410 with Chris Brinkley and Davis Gregory.
