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UT Martin Rallies From Halftime Deficit to Defeat Champion Christian, 86-57
By Piper Rampage
Photo: Amanas1 / Wikimedia Commons (CC BY-SA 4.0)
MARTIN, Tenn. — UT Martin overcame a three-point halftime deficit with a dominant second-half performance to defeat Champion Christian 86-57 at the Kathleen and Tom Elam Center. The Skyhawks improved to 2-2, while Champion Christian, a first-year NAIA program from Hot Springs, Arkansas, fell to 2-1.
Nikola Janicic led UT Martin with 15 points, a game-high four assists, four rebounds and two steals. Davi Remagen added 10 points, and Gabrielius Bubnys scored 10 in his collegiate debut, playing 13 minutes. Sasha Savkov contributed a game-high eight rebounds and three steals.
Braylon Frazier paced Champion Christian with 16 points, while Kelen Smith finished with 14 points and seven rebounds.
The visitors held a 39-36 advantage at halftime after making 10 three-pointers in the opening half. UT Martin faced a deficit despite its scoring contributions, but the Skyhawks changed the game after the break with an 11-0 run early in the second half.
Champion Christian managed to cut the margin to 58-49 with 10:09 remaining. UT Martin responded with a 16-0 run that put the game out of reach. The Skyhawks continued to extend their advantage, reaching their largest lead at 83-51 on an Enrique Moya three-pointer with 2:51 left.
UT Martin’s second-half defense limited Champion Christian to 18 points. The visitors shot 22.6% from the field and made just one of 18 three-point attempts after halftime.
The Skyhawks also controlled several statistical categories, holding a 46-10 advantage in points in the paint and a 44-14 edge in bench points. UT Martin forced 22 turnovers, helping fuel its second-half surge.
The victory continued a notable home-opening record for the program. UT Martin is now 33-2 in home openers since joining Division I in 1992.
After trailing at the break, the Skyhawks outscored Champion Christian 50-18 in the second half to complete the 29-point victory.
Piper Rampage
Men’s College Basketball, The Library Media
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