UT Martin Holds Off Eastern Illinois in Close Contest
Saturday, January 3, 2026, 4:30 PM ET · Kathleen and Tom Elam Center
UT Martin Skyhawks 65, Eastern Illinois Panthers 61, final. Our NCAAB picks are sealed as a hash before kickoff and settled in public, losses included.
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Quick answers
Who won Eastern Illinois Panthers vs UT Martin Skyhawks?
UT Martin Skyhawks beat Eastern Illinois Panthers 65-61 at Kathleen and Tom Elam Center on January 3, 2026.
Who was favored in Eastern Illinois Panthers vs UT Martin Skyhawks?
UT Martin Skyhawks were the favorite at DraftKings, moneyline -625 (about 86% implied). The favorite won.
In a tightly contested matchup, the UT Martin Skyhawks edged out the Eastern Illinois Panthers with a final score of 65-61 at the Kathleen and Tom Elam Center. This victory marked an important win for the Skyhawks, who improved their home record to 6-0 and continued their strong performance in the NCAAB season.
UT Martin entered the game with a solid home record of 11-4, boasting a recent form of 7-3 over their last ten games. They were riding a two-game winning streak, having defeated Western Illinois 67-60 just days prior to this game. The Skyhawks averaged 72.5 points scored and allowed 64.3 points in their last ten games, showcasing a balanced offensive and defensive performance. Their last five games showed an even higher scoring average of 74.8 points while allowing 67.0 points.
On the other hand, the Eastern Illinois Panthers came into the game with a record of 4-10 and struggled recently, with a record of 3-6-1 in their last ten games. They were on a one-game losing streak, having lost to Southeast Missouri State 59-68 in their previous outing. The Panthers averaged 61.5 points scored and 66.4 points allowed during their last ten games, indicating challenges in both scoring and defense. Their away record was particularly concerning, as they had not won any of their four away games this season.
Historically, UT Martin has had the upper hand in their recent matchups against Eastern Illinois, winning both of their previous meetings in the 2025 season. The Skyhawks defeated the Panthers 68-63 at home on January 17, 2025, and followed that with a 72-68 victory on February 15, 2025.
In terms of injuries, the block did not specify any significant injuries affecting either team, allowing both squads to field their regular lineups. This absence of injury concerns likely contributed to the competitive nature of the game.
The betting market, as provided by DraftKings, favored UT Martin significantly, with a spread of -10.5 and a moneyline of -625 for the Skyhawks, while the Panthers had a moneyline of +455. The total points line was set at 133.5, with the odds for the over at -115.0 and under at -105.0, indicating a belief that the game would be relatively low-scoring.
The game was played under normal conditions, with no specific mention of weather or unusual circumstances affecting play. Fans could expect a hard-fought battle, with both teams looking to establish their rhythm early on.
As the game progressed, it became clear that the Skyhawks had to fend off a late surge from the Panthers. In the second half, the score was tight, with Eastern Illinois briefly taking the lead at 58-56 after a layup by Matas Deniusas. However, UT Martin responded with a three-pointer from Deniusas, regaining the lead at 60-59. The final moments saw the Skyhawks convert crucial free throws from Ty Price, sealing the win at 65-61.
This game highlighted the resilience of the UT Martin Skyhawks, who managed to hold off a determined Eastern Illinois squad. The performance of both teams will be crucial as they look to build on this game moving forward in the season.
Odds
| Book | Spread | Total | Moneyline |
|---|---|---|---|
| DraftKings | UTM -10.5 | 133.5 o -115 / u -105 | Eastern Illinois Panthers +455 · UT Martin Skyhawks -625 |
Leaders
- PointsMatas Deniusas19UT Martin Skyhawks
- AssistsAndrija Bukumirovic4UT Martin Skyhawks
- ReboundsAndrija Bukumirovic14UT Martin Skyhawks
- PointsZion Fruster17Eastern Illinois Panthers
- AssistsZion Fruster4Eastern Illinois Panthers
- ReboundsTerry McMorris9Eastern Illinois Panthers
Recent form
UT Martin Skyhawks
Last 10: 7-3Streak W272.5 scored · 64.3 allowed per game5-0 at home
- W67-60vs Western Illinois LeathernecksJan 1
- W86-62at Tennessee Tech Golden EaglesDec 20
- L71-78at Tennessee State TigersDec 19
- W96-52vs Champion Christian TigersDec 14
- L54-83at Southern Illinois SalukisDec 11
- W74-64vs Alabama State HornetsDec 7
- W73-56vs Charleston Southern BuccaneersDec 2
- W75-50vs Brescia BearcatsNov 26
- L60-70at Southern Miss Golden EaglesNov 23
- W69-68at Prairie View A&M PanthersNov 22
Eastern Illinois Panthers
Last 10: 3-6-1Streak L161.5 scored · 66.4 allowed per game0-4 away
- L59-68at Southeast Missouri State RedhawksJan 2
- W110-56vs East West PhantomsDec 22
- W76-72vs SIU Edwardsville CougarsDec 18
- L53-78at Iowa State CyclonesDec 14
- L59-68vs Eastern Kentucky ColonelsDec 11
- L74-82vs Lindenwood LionsDec 7
- D0-0vs Blackburn BeaversDec 2
- L62-109at Purdue BoilermakersNov 28
- L60-81at Central Arkansas BearsNov 26
- W62-50vs Tiffin DragonsNov 20
Standings
| Team | Overall | Games behind | In conference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Tennessee State | 23-10 | - | 15-5 |
| Morehead State | 20-13 | - | 15-5 |
| Southeast Missouri State | 20-13 | 1 | 14-6 |
| UT Martin | 22-11 | 2 | 13-7 |
| SIU Edwardsville | 19-13 | 3 | 12-8 |
| Lindenwood | 18-15 | 4 | 11-9 |
| Little Rock | 12-20 | 6 | 9-11 |
| Tennessee Tech | 13-18 | 6 | 8-12 |
| Eastern Illinois | 13-20 | 7 | 8-12 |
| Southern Indiana | 7-23 | 11 | 4-16 |
| Western Illinois | 5-26 | 14 | 1-19 |
Box score
| Stat | Eastern Illinois Panthers | UT Martin Skyhawks |
|---|---|---|
| Field goals | 20-57 | 18-48 |
| Field goal % | 35 | 38 |
| Three-pointers | 6-24 | 7-29 |
| Three-point % | 25 | 24 |
| Free throws | 15-23 | 22-26 |
| Free throw % | 65 | 85 |
| Rebounds | 34 | 41 |
| Offensive rebounds | 13 | 11 |
| Defensive rebounds | 21 | 30 |
| Assists | 13 | 10 |
| Steals | 14 | 7 |
| Blocks | 4 | 9 |
| Turnovers | 12 | 18 |
| Team turnovers | 3 | 1 |
| Technical fouls | 0 | 0 |
| Technical fouls, total | 0 | 0 |
| Flagrant fouls | 0 | 0 |
| Points off turnovers | 23 | 13 |
| Fast-break points | 19 | 13 |
| Points in the paint | 18 | 20 |
| Fouls | 21 | 16 |
| Largest lead | 8 | 9 |
| Lead changes | 10 | 10 |
| Time in front | 47 | 41 |
How the scoring went
- 1st Half31-30Kooper Jacobi makes 10-foot turnaround jump shot (Meechie White assists)
- 1st Half31-31Afan Trnka makes free throw 2 of 3
- 1st Half31-32Afan Trnka makes free throw 3 of 3
- 1st Half34-32Meechie White makes 24-foot three point jumper (Zion Fruster assists)
- 1st Half34-33Andrija Bukumirović makes free throw 1 of 2
- 1st Half34-34Andrija Bukumirović makes free throw 2 of 2
- 1st Half36-34Zion Fruster makes 20-foot pullup jump shot
- 1st Half38-34Malik Olafioye makes driving layup (Zion Fruster assists)
- 1st Half41-34Meechie White makes 24-foot three point jumper (Malik Olafioye assists)
- 2nd Half41-36Matas Deniusas makes layup
- 2nd Half41-37Matas Deniusas makes free throw 1 of 1
- 2nd Half42-37Terry McMorris makes free throw 2 of 2
- 2nd Half45-37Zion Fruster makes 24-foot three point jumper (Meechie White assists)
- 2nd Half45-39Afan Trnka makes driving layup
- 2nd Half45-40Afan Trnka makes free throw 1 of 1
- 2nd Half45-43Afan Trnka makes 24-foot three point jumper (Andrija Bukumirović assists)
- 2nd Half46-43Terry McMorris makes free throw 1 of 2
- 2nd Half47-43Terry McMorris makes free throw 2 of 2
- 2nd Half47-46Ty Price makes 24-foot three point jumper (Andrija Bukumirović assists)
- 2nd Half48-46Kooper Jacobi makes free throw 1 of 2
- 2nd Half48-48Andrija Bukumirović makes layup
- 2nd Half48-50Matas Deniusas makes 8-foot floating jump shot
- 2nd Half50-50Meechie White makes 20-foot pullup jump shot
- 2nd Half52-50Kooper Jacobi makes 5-foot jumper
- 2nd Half54-50Kooper Jacobi makes layup (Terry McMorris assists)
- 2nd Half55-50Kooper Jacobi makes free throw 1 of 1
- 2nd Half57-50Kooper Jacobi makes 14-foot jumper (Zion Fruster assists)
- 2nd Half58-50Terry McMorris makes free throw 1 of 2
- 2nd Half58-51Filip Radaković makes free throw 1 of 2
- 2nd Half58-52Filip Radaković makes free throw 2 of 2
- 2nd Half58-53Matas Deniusas makes free throw 1 of 2
- 2nd Half58-54Matas Deniusas makes free throw 2 of 2
- 2nd Half58-56Matas Deniusas makes layup
- 2nd Half58-57Matas Deniusas makes free throw 1 of 1
- 2nd Half59-57Zion Fruster makes free throw 1 of 2
- 2nd Half59-60Matas Deniusas makes 25-foot three point jumper (Filip Radaković assists)
- 2nd Half61-60Zion Fruster makes layup
- 2nd Half61-63Matas Deniusas makes 26-foot three point jumper (Andrija Bukumirović assists)
- 2nd Half61-64Ty Price makes free throw 1 of 2
- 2nd Half61-65Ty Price makes free throw 2 of 2
Win probability
Above the line favours UT Martin Skyhawks, below favours Eastern Illinois Panthers.
Venue
- Kathleen and Tom Elam CenterMartin, TN
- Attendance1086
- OfficialsJames Hicks, Cody Crum, Kyle Stewart
Elsewhere
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- Michigan 5-star freshman Brandon McCoy Jr. (knee) to miss season
- With $6.5 million left on deal, UCLA fires AD Martin Jarmond