On Monday, the UT Martin Men's Basketball team picked up a massive home victory over OVC rival Austin Peay, 76-75. It was an all-around team effort as the Skyhawks were able to impeach the Governors for the first time since 2017. UT Martin led Austin Peay by 12 at halftime, but the Govs came out of the break and made 10 of their first 14 shots.
As the Governors held a two-possession lead with under two minutes to play; it seemed UT Martin wouldn't be able to complete the comeback. However, the sharpshooting of Ajani Kennedy and defensive efforts by Kenton Eskridge helped the Hawks bring the game to a 72-72 tie with under a minute left.
Pre-Season OVC Player of The Year Terry Taylor drew a foul and went to the free-throw line; and converted on both of his attempts to put Austin Peay up by 2 with less than 20 seconds left. UT Martin called their third timeout, and Interim Head Coach Montez Robinson drew up the play for his squad. Eskridge drew the defense inside, and kicked out to Kennedy in the corner who missed the three: However, as the ball was heading out of bounds; Cameron Holden saved it and threw it off the hands of Terry Taylor who knocked the ball out of bounds to give UT Martin one last shot.
As the officials were reviewing how much time should be put back on the clock, Montez Robinson drew up another play for his team. With 2.4 seconds remaining, Eskridge inbounded it to Holden who lobbed it out to Ajani Kennedy who dropped in the buzzer-beating three. Kennedy finished with 22 points and 19 second-half points to give the Hawks their fifth conference victory of the season.
The two rivals will meet again on Thursday night in Clarksville. Tip-off is scheduled for 7:30.