Sycamores ground Skyhawks, three players finish game in double figures

Three players were in the double figures for the Indiana State University women's basketball team in the matchup against University of Tennessee at Martin Wednesday night.

The Sycamores defeated the Skyhawks 66-55.  The victory improves the women's basketball overall record to 3-3 and drops UT Martin to 4-2 for the season.

Senior center Shannon Thomas led the Sycamores, scoring 22 points, pulling down 17 rebounds for a double-double and three blocks.  Senior guard and forward Deja Mattox followed Thomas.  Mattox finished the game with 18 points, four steals, three blocks and seven rebounds. 

Sophomore guard Anna Munn went 3 of 5 from long range and finished with 15 points and 10 rebounds for a double-double.

The Sycamores led the game in rebounds pulling down 51 rebounds (40 defensive, 11 offensive) compared to the Skyhawks 40 rebounds (30 defensive, 10 offensive).  ISU continued to battle with turnovers allowing UT Martin 21 points.

A lay-up by freshman guard Natasha Zurek gave the Sycamores their biggest lead of the night of 13 points at 20-7 ISU.  However, the Skyhawks were not out of the game yet as they slowly chopped away at the margin until, with 5:08 remaining in the first half they were within two points, 26-24 ISU.

The Sycamores then went on a 7-0 run as Thomas made all baskets for the Sycamores.  The final effort was enough to send ISU to the locker room on top 33-29 at halftime.

UT Martin opened the second half with a lay-up from forward Beth Hawn and once again the Skyhawks were within two points 35-33.

The Sycamores opened up the margin once again on an 8-0 run as Munn, Mattox and Thomas got their lay-ups to drop.  

A 5-0 run by the Sycamores once again gave them a lead of 13 points at 52-39.  As the half was coming to a close, the Skyhawks battled back, bringing the score within five points with 4:05 remaining.

In response, ISU went on a 6-0 run and finished the game with a victory, 66-55 ISU.

"I think this is one of the games where we finally didn't beat ourselves," Mattox said.

The Sycamores will be looking for their first road victory when they travel to face off against the University of Illinois-Chicago Flames.  Tip-off is scheduled for 8 p.m. Friday.