UT Martin Edges Eastern Illinois in Close Contest
Thursday, March 5, 2026, 7:00 PM ET · Ford Center
UT Martin Skyhawks 66, Eastern Illinois Panthers 63, 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 66-63 at Ford Center on March 5, 2026.
Who was favored in Eastern Illinois Panthers vs UT Martin Skyhawks?
UT Martin Skyhawks were the favorite at DraftKings, moneyline -395 (about 80% implied). The favorite won.
In a tightly contested matchup, the UT Martin Skyhawks narrowly defeated the Eastern Illinois Panthers with a final score of 66-63. The game, held at the Ford Center, showcased the competitive spirit of both teams, particularly as UT Martin aimed to solidify their standing with a strong home performance. This victory marks the Skyhawks' fifth win in their last ten games, bringing their overall record to 22-10, while the Panthers fell to 13-20 with this loss.
UT Martin entered the game with a mixed recent form, recording a 5-5 record over their last ten outings. They had struggled in their previous game, losing 42-67 to the Tennessee State Tigers, and were on a one-game losing streak prior to facing Eastern Illinois. Their average scoring during this stretch was 64.9 points per game, while they allowed an average of 60.1 points, indicating a generally solid defensive effort despite recent struggles.
On the other hand, Eastern Illinois had a slightly better recent record of 4-6 in their last ten games, including a victory in their most recent match against the SIU Edwardsville Cougars, where they won 77-71. The Panthers averaged 67.1 points scored per game while allowing 71.7 points, suggesting they have been involved in higher-scoring affairs but have also faced challenges defensively.
When considering home and away performances, UT Martin had a home record of 3-3 in their last six games, while Eastern Illinois maintained a more balanced away record of 3-3. The Skyhawks had previously shown strength at home, but their recent form had raised questions about their consistency.
Historically, UT Martin has dominated their recent encounters with Eastern Illinois, winning all four of their last meetings. This includes two matchups in the current season, with UT Martin winning 65-61 at home on January 3, 2026, and 76-68 away on January 30, 2026. The Skyhawks’ success against the Panthers has been a significant factor in building confidence heading into this matchup.
In terms of injuries, the block does not provide specific details, but the absence of key players can often impact team performance. The Skyhawks needed to be at full strength to maintain their edge, especially given their recent struggles.
The betting lines from DraftKings reflected UT Martin as the favorite, with a spread of -7.5 and a moneyline of -395. Eastern Illinois was listed at +310 on the moneyline, indicating that the market viewed them as underdogs. The total for the game was set at 126.5, suggesting expectations of a relatively low-scoring affair, which aligned with the defensive strengths and weaknesses of both teams.
As the game progressed, it became clear that every possession mattered. The final moments were particularly tense, with both teams exchanging leads. Key scoring plays included a floating jump shot by Preston Turner, which brought Eastern Illinois within striking distance, and crucial free throws by Filip Radakovic, who helped maintain UT Martin's slim lead in the closing minutes.
Overall, the matchup highlighted the resilience of UT Martin, who managed to secure the win despite their recent form and the pressure of a close game. The Skyhawks demonstrated their ability to perform under pressure, maintaining their perfect record against Eastern Illinois this season. Fans and analysts alike will be watching to see how both teams adjust in their upcoming games, especially with the postseason approaching.
Odds
| Book | Spread | Total | Moneyline |
|---|---|---|---|
| DraftKings | UTM -7.5 | 126.5 o -112 / u -108 | Eastern Illinois Panthers +310 · UT Martin Skyhawks -395 |
Leaders
- PointsMatas Deniusas17UT Martin Skyhawks
- AssistsFilip Radakovic4UT Martin Skyhawks
- ReboundsAndrija Bukumirovic10UT Martin Skyhawks
- PointsPreston Turner18Eastern Illinois Panthers
- AssistsMeechie White3Eastern Illinois Panthers
- ReboundsTerry McMorris12Eastern Illinois Panthers
Recent form
UT Martin Skyhawks
Last 10: 5-5Streak L164.9 scored · 60.1 allowed per game3-3 at home
- L42-67vs Tennessee State TigersFeb 28
- W64-49vs Tennessee Tech Golden EaglesFeb 27
- L65-67at Little Rock TrojansFeb 20
- L53-56vs Southeast Missouri State RedhawksFeb 18
- W81-76at SIU Edwardsville CougarsFeb 14
- L74-75at Lindenwood LionsFeb 13
- L55-61vs Morehead State EaglesFeb 7
- W76-54vs Southern Indiana Screaming EaglesFeb 6
- W55-52vs Little Rock TrojansFeb 4
- W84-44at Western Illinois LeathernecksJan 31
Eastern Illinois Panthers
Last 10: 4-6Streak W167.1 scored · 71.7 allowed per game3-3 away
- W77-71at SIU Edwardsville CougarsMar 5
- L50-77at SIU Edwardsville CougarsFeb 28
- W71-67at Lindenwood LionsFeb 27
- L68-70vs Southern Indiana Screaming EaglesFeb 21
- L70-73vs Morehead State EaglesFeb 20
- W78-72vs Little Rock TrojansFeb 14
- L70-79at Western Illinois LeathernecksFeb 11
- W60-54at Tennessee Tech Golden EaglesFeb 7
- L68-77at Tennessee State TigersFeb 6
- L59-77vs Southeast Missouri State RedhawksJan 31
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 | 23-53 | 22-57 |
| Field goal % | 43 | 39 |
| Three-pointers | 8-19 | 8-29 |
| Three-point % | 42 | 28 |
| Free throws | 9-13 | 14-18 |
| Free throw % | 69 | 78 |
| Rebounds | 33 | 39 |
| Offensive rebounds | 9 | 14 |
| Defensive rebounds | 24 | 25 |
| Assists | 11 | 13 |
| Steals | 6 | 5 |
| Blocks | 3 | 3 |
| Turnovers | 12 | 10 |
| Team turnovers | 0 | 0 |
| Technical fouls | 0 | 0 |
| Technical fouls, total | 0 | 0 |
| Flagrant fouls | 0 | 0 |
| Points off turnovers | 8 | 12 |
| Fast-break points | 11 | 10 |
| Points in the paint | 28 | 26 |
| Fouls | 19 | 13 |
| Largest lead | 6 | 9 |
| Lead changes | 10 | 10 |
| Time in front | 41 | 55 |
How the scoring went
- 2nd Half29-31Meechie White makes 25-foot three point jumper
- 2nd Half29-34Luca Colceag makes 25-foot three point jumper (Filip Petkovski assists)
- 2nd Half29-36Andrija Bukumirovic makes driving layup
- 2nd Half31-36Kooper Jacobi makes 8-foot turnaround jump shot (Meechie White assists)
- 2nd Half31-38Matas Deniusas makes layup (Filip Radakovic assists)
- 2nd Half31-40Afan Trnka makes driving layup
- 2nd Half33-40Terry McMorris makes driving layup
- 2nd Half34-40Terry McMorris makes free throw 1 of 2
- 2nd Half37-40Preston Turner makes 24-foot three point jumper (Terry McMorris assists)
- 2nd Half38-40Terry McMorris makes free throw 1 of 2
- 2nd Half39-40Terry McMorris makes free throw 2 of 2
- 2nd Half42-40Preston Turner makes 26-foot three point jumper (Meechie White assists)
- 2nd Half42-41Filip Radakovic makes free throw 1 of 2
- 2nd Half42-42Filip Radakovic makes free throw 2 of 2
- 2nd Half44-42Preston Turner makes driving layup
- 2nd Half44-44Afan Trnka makes driving layup
- 2nd Half46-44Markus Blackwell makes 7-foot turnaround jump shot
- 2nd Half46-47Luca Colceag makes 22-foot three point jumper (Afan Trnka assists)
- 2nd Half47-47Terry McMorris makes free throw 1 of 2
- 2nd Half48-47Terry McMorris makes free throw 2 of 2
- 2nd Half48-50Filip Petkovski makes 25-foot three point jumper (Andrija Bukumirovic assists)
- 2nd Half51-50Preston Turner makes 26-foot three point jumper (Kooper Jacobi assists)
- 2nd Half51-51Matas Deniusas makes free throw 1 of 2
- 2nd Half51-52Matas Deniusas makes free throw 2 of 2
- 2nd Half51-54Filip Radakovic makes driving layup
- 2nd Half51-55Filip Radakovic makes free throw 1 of 1
- 2nd Half53-55Terry McMorris makes driving layup
- 2nd Half53-58Andrija Bukumirovic makes 23-foot three point jumper (Matas Deniusas assists)
- 2nd Half53-60Matas Deniusas makes 7-foot floating jump shot
- 2nd Half55-60Terry McMorris makes driving layup
- 2nd Half55-62Pedro Santos makes 0-foot tip in layup
- 2nd Half56-62Meechie White makes free throw 1 of 2
- 2nd Half58-62Preston Turner makes 6-foot floating jump shot
- 2nd Half58-63Filip Radakovic makes free throw 1 of 2
- 2nd Half58-64Filip Radakovic makes free throw 2 of 2
- 2nd Half61-64Preston Turner makes 25-foot three point step back jumpshot
- 2nd Half61-65Filip Radakovic makes free throw 1 of 2
- 2nd Half61-66Filip Radakovic makes free throw 2 of 2
- 2nd Half62-66Preston Turner makes free throw 1 of 2
- 2nd Half63-66Preston Turner makes free throw 2 of 2
Win probability
Above the line favours UT Martin Skyhawks, below favours Eastern Illinois Panthers.
Venue
- Ford CenterEvansville, IN
- Attendance1101
- OfficialsBlake Harris, Kevin Mathis, James Curran
Elsewhere
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- Men's NCAA basketball 2026-27 Way-Too-Early Top 25 rankings
- Transfers, recruits and roster moves for key men's NCAA basketball teams
- Michigan 5-star freshman Brandon McCoy Jr. (knee) to miss season
- With $6.5 million left on deal, UCLA fires AD Martin Jarmond