NCAAB · Final

UT Martin Defeats Western Illinois in Close Contest

Thursday, January 1, 2026, 4:30 PM ET · Kathleen and Tom Elam Center

UT Martin Skyhawks 67, Western Illinois Leathernecks 60, 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 Western Illinois Leathernecks vs UT Martin Skyhawks?

UT Martin Skyhawks beat Western Illinois Leathernecks 67-60 at Kathleen and Tom Elam Center on January 1, 2026.

Who was favored in Western Illinois Leathernecks vs UT Martin Skyhawks?

UT Martin Skyhawks were the favorite at DraftKings, moneyline -1200 (about 92% implied). The favorite won.

In a tightly contested game, the UT Martin Skyhawks emerged victorious over the Western Illinois Leathernecks with a final score of 67-60. This matchup, held at the Kathleen and Tom Elam Center, showcased the Skyhawks' ability to secure a win despite a resilient effort from the Leathernecks.

The Skyhawks entered the game with a home record of 10-4 and had been performing well recently, boasting a 6-4 record over their last ten games. They were on a one-game winning streak, averaging 73.1 points scored while allowing 67.0 points per game during this stretch. Their last five games saw them record an average of 76.2 points scored and 67.8 points allowed, indicating a solid offensive performance paired with decent defensive efforts.

In contrast, the Leathernecks struggled with a 4-10 overall record and had lost their last two games prior to this matchup. Their recent form showed a 4-6 record over the last ten games, with an average of 69.6 points scored and 74.6 points allowed. In their last five games, they averaged 68.2 points scored while allowing 75.8 points, highlighting their defensive vulnerabilities.

Historically, the Skyhawks have had the upper hand against the Leathernecks, winning both previous meetings in the 2025 season. The first matchup ended with a score of 85-83 in favor of UT Martin, while the second meeting saw them win comfortably at home with a score of 81-70. This trend continued in their latest encounter, as the Skyhawks maintained their dominance.

In terms of injuries, the block did not specify any significant absences affecting either team, allowing both squads to field their strongest lineups. The market reflected UT Martin's expected dominance, pricing them as 13.5-point favorites according to DraftKings, with a moneyline of -1200 for the Skyhawks and +750 for the Leathernecks. The total was set at 140.5, indicating expectations for a moderately high-scoring game.

The game conditions were typical for indoor basketball, with no adverse weather factors impacting play. Fans were treated to a competitive atmosphere as both teams fought for every point.

As the game unfolded, the Skyhawks found themselves in a tight battle, trailing at times but managing to pull ahead in crucial moments. The turning point came in the second half when Matas Deniusas hit an 8-foot jumper to give UT Martin a narrow lead at 61-60. Following that, Afan Trnka's successful free throws helped extend the lead to 67-60, sealing the victory for the Skyhawks.

Overall, this matchup highlighted the Skyhawks' ability to perform under pressure, while the Leathernecks showed determination but ultimately fell short. The final score of 67-60 reflects a competitive game that kept fans on the edge of their seats until the final buzzer.

Odds

Book	Spread	Total	Moneyline
DraftKings	UTM -13.5	140.5 o -105 / u -115	Western Illinois Leathernecks +750 · UT Martin Skyhawks -1200

What these prices pay on $100 · What these numbers mean

Leaders

PointsFilip Radakovic18UT Martin Skyhawks
AssistsMatas Deniusas3UT Martin Skyhawks
ReboundsAndrija Bukumirovic9UT Martin Skyhawks
PointsLucas Lorenzen23Western Illinois Leathernecks
AssistsMakai Kvamme7Western Illinois Leathernecks
ReboundsKaryiek Dixon11Western Illinois Leathernecks

Recent form

UT Martin Skyhawks

Last 10: 6-4Streak W173.1 scored · 67 allowed per game4-0 at home

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
L73-87at Florida State SeminolesNov 19

Western Illinois Leathernecks

Last 10: 4-6Streak L269.6 scored · 74.6 allowed per game1-3 away

L61-66vs SIU Edwardsville CougarsDec 22
L76-92at Lindenwood LionsDec 19
W69-66at North Dakota Fighting HawksDec 13
W78-47vs Hannibal LaGrange TrojansDec 6
L57-108at Drake BulldogsDec 3
W89-73vs St. Ambrose Fighting BeesNov 30
L69-78vs North Dakota Fighting HawksNov 24
L64-84vs Coastal Carolina ChanticleersNov 22
W74-63vs Coe KohawksNov 18
L59-69at California Baptist LancersNov 15

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	Western Illinois Leathernecks	UT Martin Skyhawks
Field goals	21-65	22-57
Field goal %	32	39
Three-pointers	10-29	2-7
Three-point %	34	29
Free throws	8-11	21-31
Free throw %	73	68
Rebounds	43	42
Offensive rebounds	19	15
Defensive rebounds	24	27
Assists	15	9
Steals	4	11
Blocks	3	5
Turnovers	13	7
Team turnovers	1	0
Technical fouls	1	0
Technical fouls, total	1	0
Flagrant fouls	0	0
Points off turnovers	11	10
Fast-break points	7	21
Points in the paint	20	40
Fouls	18	14
Largest lead	10	7
Lead changes	11	11
Time in front	56	27

How the scoring went

2nd Half31-31Matas Deniusas makes 5-foot jumper
2nd Half31-33Matas Deniusas makes 5-foot turnaround jump shot
2nd Half31-34Matas Deniusas makes free throw 1 of 1
2nd Half32-34Isaiah Griffin makes free throw 1 of 2
2nd Half33-34Isaiah Griffin makes free throw 2 of 2
2nd Half33-36Filip Radaković makes driving layup
2nd Half36-36Lucas Lorenzen makes 23-foot three point jumper (Makai Kvamme assists)
2nd Half36-38Pedro Santos makes 6-foot jumper (Andrija Bukumirović assists)
2nd Half36-40Pedro Santos makes driving layup
2nd Half38-40Karyiek Dixon makes layup (Antwaun Massey assists)
2nd Half41-40Lucas Lorenzen makes 26-foot three point jumper (Makai Kvamme assists)
2nd Half43-40Karyiek Dixon makes layup
2nd Half43-41Filip Radaković makes free throw 1 of 2
2nd Half43-42Filip Radaković makes free throw 2 of 2
2nd Half43-43Filip Radaković makes free throw 2 of 2
2nd Half45-43Lucas Lorenzen makes layup (Antwaun Massey assists)
2nd Half45-45Filip Petkovski makes driving layup
2nd Half46-45Lucas Lorenzen makes free throw 1 of 2
2nd Half47-45Lucas Lorenzen makes free throw 2 of 2
2nd Half47-48Luca Colceag makes 22-foot three point jumper (Damien King assists)
2nd Half49-48Lucas Lorenzen makes 17-foot pullup jump shot (Makai Kvamme assists)
2nd Half51-48Isaiah Griffin makes layup (Makai Kvamme assists)
2nd Half51-49Filip Radaković makes free throw 1 of 2
2nd Half52-49Antwaun Massey makes free throw 1 of 2
2nd Half52-51Andrija Bukumirović makes layup (Matas Deniusas assists)
2nd Half55-51Makai Kvamme makes 26-foot three point jumper (Isaiah Griffin assists)
2nd Half55-53Pedro Santos makes layup
2nd Half55-55Pedro Santos makes driving layup
2nd Half55-56Filip Radaković makes free throw 1 of 2
2nd Half55-57Filip Radaković makes free throw 2 of 2
2nd Half58-57Lucas Lorenzen makes 25-foot three point jumper (Makai Kvamme assists)
2nd Half58-59Matas Deniusas makes 0-foot tip in layup
2nd Half60-59Karyiek Dixon makes layup
2nd Half60-61Matas Deniusas makes 8-foot jumper
2nd Half60-62Afan Trnka makes free throw 1 of 2
2nd Half60-63Afan Trnka makes free throw 2 of 2
2nd Half60-64Afan Trnka makes free throw 1 of 2
2nd Half60-65Afan Trnka makes free throw 2 of 2
2nd Half60-66Filip Radaković makes free throw 1 of 2
2nd Half60-67Filip Radaković makes free throw 2 of 2

Win probability

Above the line favours UT Martin Skyhawks, below favours Western Illinois Leathernecks.