UT Martin Skyhawks Defeat Eastern Illinois Panthers 76-68
Thursday, January 29, 2026, 8:30 PM ET · Groniger Arena
UT Martin Skyhawks 76, Eastern Illinois Panthers 68, 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 UT Martin Skyhawks vs Eastern Illinois Panthers?
UT Martin Skyhawks beat Eastern Illinois Panthers 76-68 at Groniger Arena on January 29, 2026.
Who was favored in UT Martin Skyhawks vs Eastern Illinois Panthers?
UT Martin Skyhawks were the favorite at DraftKings, moneyline -185 (about 65% implied). The favorite won.
In a closely contested matchup, the UT Martin Skyhawks defeated the Eastern Illinois Panthers 76-68 at Groniger Arena. This victory marks another win for the Skyhawks, who now hold a 17-5 record, while the Panthers drop to 9-14 for the season. The game showcased the Skyhawks' ability to maintain their strong performance on the road, having a 4-2 away record in their last six games.
The Skyhawks entered the game with a recent form of 8-2 over their last ten games, although they were coming off a loss against Southeast Missouri State, where they fell 50-66. Despite that setback, they averaged 71.8 points scored and allowed 61.7 points in their last ten outings. In contrast, the Panthers had a record of 6-4 in their last ten games, with an average of 72.7 points scored and 62.2 points allowed. However, they were on a one-game losing streak after losing to Morehead State 68-73 in their last match.
At home, the Panthers had been strong, boasting a 5-0 record in their last five home games, while the Skyhawks had a 3-2 record in their last five away games. Historically, the Panthers have struggled against the Skyhawks, having lost all three previous meetings in the current season and the last. In their most recent encounter on January 3, 2026, the Panthers lost 61-65 to the Skyhawks.
In terms of injuries, the block did not provide any specific details affecting either team, which suggests that both squads were likely at full strength going into this matchup. The market had priced the Skyhawks as 3.5-point favorites according to DraftKings, with a total set at 129.5. This indicates a competitive expectation for the scoring output of both teams.
The game conditions were not detailed, but typically, home-court advantage can play a significant role in college basketball, particularly in a venue like Groniger Arena, where the Panthers have had success this season.
As the game unfolded, the Skyhawks managed to pull away in the second half, with significant contributions from players like Andrija Bukumirović, who had a notable dunk that helped extend their lead. The scoring plays highlighted the Skyhawks' ability to capitalize on free throws and maintain their scoring momentum, ultimately leading to their victory.
Fans watching the game were treated to a display of competitive basketball, with both teams showcasing their strengths. The Skyhawks' ability to execute under pressure and the Panthers' fight to stay in the game made for an engaging matchup.
Odds
| Book | Spread | Total | Moneyline |
|---|---|---|---|
| DraftKings | UTM -3.5 | 129.5 o -105 / u -115 | UT Martin Skyhawks -185 · Eastern Illinois Panthers +154 |
Leaders
- PointsTerry McMorris15Eastern Illinois Panthers
- AssistsTerry McMorris4Eastern Illinois Panthers
- ReboundsNazareth Fisher10Eastern Illinois Panthers
- PointsAndrija Bukumirovic21UT Martin Skyhawks
- AssistsFilip Petkovski5UT Martin Skyhawks
- ReboundsAndrija Bukumirovic9UT Martin Skyhawks
Recent form
Eastern Illinois Panthers
Last 10: 6-4Streak L172.7 scored · 62.2 allowed per game5-0 at home
- L68-73at Morehead State EaglesJan 24
- W59-51at Southern Indiana Screaming EaglesJan 23
- W105-49vs Blackburn BeaversJan 18
- L63-74at Little Rock TrojansJan 16
- W57-55vs Western Illinois LeathernecksJan 14
- W74-70vs Tennessee State TigersJan 10
- W71-61vs Tennessee Tech Golden EaglesJan 9
- L61-65at UT Martin SkyhawksJan 3
- L59-68at Southeast Missouri State RedhawksJan 2
- W110-56vs East West PhantomsDec 22
UT Martin Skyhawks
Last 10: 8-2Streak L171.8 scored · 61.7 allowed per game3-2 away
- L50-66at Southeast Missouri State RedhawksJan 21
- W69-55vs Lindenwood LionsJan 17
- W65-59vs SIU Edwardsville CougarsJan 16
- W73-56at Southern Indiana Screaming EaglesJan 11
- W76-68at Morehead State EaglesJan 9
- W65-61vs Eastern Illinois PanthersJan 3
- 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
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 | UT Martin Skyhawks | Eastern Illinois Panthers |
|---|---|---|
| Field goals | 26-49 | 23-59 |
| Field goal % | 53 | 39 |
| Three-pointers | 11-28 | 5-19 |
| Three-point % | 39 | 26 |
| Free throws | 13-20 | 17-29 |
| Free throw % | 65 | 59 |
| Rebounds | 42 | 30 |
| Offensive rebounds | 11 | 13 |
| Defensive rebounds | 31 | 17 |
| Assists | 19 | 16 |
| Steals | 2 | 10 |
| Blocks | 3 | 1 |
| Turnovers | 20 | 8 |
| Team turnovers | 2 | 1 |
| Technical fouls | 1 | 0 |
| Technical fouls, total | 1 | 0 |
| Flagrant fouls | 0 | 1 |
| Points off turnovers | 6 | 20 |
| Fast-break points | 4 | 12 |
| Points in the paint | 28 | 30 |
| Fouls | 24 | 18 |
| Largest lead | 15 | 1 |
| Lead changes | 2 | 2 |
| Time in front | 94 | 1 |
How the scoring went
- 2nd Half44-39Damien King makes 4-foot dunk (Filip Petkovski assists)
- 2nd Half46-39Damien King makes layup (Filip Radaković assists)
- 2nd Half46-40Nazareth Fisher makes free throw 1 of 2
- 2nd Half49-40Pedro Santos makes 24-foot three point jumper (Lamine Niang assists)
- 2nd Half49-41Preston Turner makes free throw 2 of 2
- 2nd Half49-43Preston Turner makes layup (Meechie White assists)
- 2nd Half49-44Meechie White makes free throw 2 of 2
- 2nd Half52-44Afan Trnka makes 27-foot three point jumper (Filip Petkovski assists)
- 2nd Half52-45Nazareth Fisher makes free throw 1 of 2
- 2nd Half55-45Andrija Bukumirović makes 23-foot three point jumper (Afan Trnka assists)
- 2nd Half55-47Nazareth Fisher makes layup (Preston Turner assists)
- 2nd Half57-47Filip Radaković makes layup
- 2nd Half59-47Afan Trnka makes layup
- 2nd Half59-48Nazareth Fisher makes free throw 2 of 2
- 2nd Half60-48Afan Trnka makes free throw 1 of 2
- 2nd Half61-48Afan Trnka makes free throw 2 of 2
- 2nd Half62-48Andrija Bukumirović makes free throw 1 of 2
- 2nd Half63-48Andrija Bukumirović makes free throw 2 of 2
- 2nd Half63-50Terry McMorris makes 0-foot tip in layup
- 2nd Half64-50Filip Radaković makes free throw 1 of 2
- 2nd Half65-50Filip Radaković makes free throw 2 of 2
- 2nd Half65-51Terry McMorris makes free throw 1 of 2
- 2nd Half65-52Terry McMorris makes free throw 2 of 2
- 2nd Half67-52Afan Trnka makes 15-foot jumper (Filip Radaković assists)
- 2nd Half67-53Zion Fruster makes free throw 1 of 2
- 2nd Half67-54Zion Fruster makes free throw 2 of 2
- 2nd Half67-57Meechie White makes 25-foot three point jumper (Terry McMorris assists)
- 2nd Half69-57Andrija Bukumirović makes layup (Matas Deniusas assists)
- 2nd Half69-59Terry McMorris makes layup (Meechie White assists)
- 2nd Half70-59Afan Trnka makes free throw 1 of 2
- 2nd Half72-59Andrija Bukumirović makes layup
- 2nd Half72-61Terry McMorris makes 0-foot tip in layup
- 2nd Half72-62Terry McMorris makes free throw 1 of 1
- 2nd Half72-64Meechie White makes layup (Zion Fruster assists)
- 2nd Half72-65Zion Fruster makes free throw 1 of 2
- 2nd Half72-66Andre Washington makes free throw 1 of 2
- 2nd Half73-66Andrija Bukumirović makes free throw 1 of 2
- 2nd Half74-66Andrija Bukumirović makes free throw 2 of 2
- 2nd Half76-66Andrija Bukumirović makes 3-foot dunk (Afan Trnka assists)
- 2nd Half76-68Zion Fruster makes 2-foot dunk (Preston Turner assists)
Win probability
Above the line favours Eastern Illinois Panthers, below favours UT Martin Skyhawks.
Venue
- Groniger ArenaCharleston, IL
- Attendance1437
- OfficialsDavid Carter, Luke Schumer, Kenneth Moreland
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