The UT Martin Skyhawks women’s basketball team wrapped up a three-game home stretch on Nov. 8, 2026, as they welcomed the Mississippi State Bulldogs from the Southeastern Conference (SEC) to the Kathleen and Tom Elam Center in Martin, Tennessee. 

Coming off a dominant 104-41 win versus Christian Brothers on Nov. 5, the Skyhawks were looking for their first 3-0 start since the 2012-13 season. The Skyhawks would not capture that feat, as they would lose 114-68 and fall to 2-1 on the season. 

The Bulldogs would score the first basket of the game and hold onto their lead for the entirety of the game. 

The Skyhawks stayed within striking distance of the Bulldogs during the first half. They were down by six points at the end of the first quarter and were down by 16 points at the end of the second quarter. 

The Bulldogs held a 55-39 halftime lead. 

The Skyhawks looked to gain some momentum and cut into their 16-point deficit to start the third quarter. However, the Bulldogs would score the first basket of the quarter and would run away with the game from there. 

The Bulldogs were dominant in the third quarter, scoring 29 points to the Skyhawks’ 12. The Skyhawks went almost eight minutes without a field goal in the quarter. The Bulldogs held a 84-49 lead at the end of the third. 

The Skyhawks did not give up as they continued to fight during the fourth quarter, but the deficit they faced was too much to overcome, and the Bulldogs came away with the win.

Skyhawks Head Coach Kevin McMillan commented on the gap in the score after the game. 

“I thought the first half was really good. But I think that third quarter kind of flipped, and then once it flipped, the floodgates opened,” said McMillan. “We didn’t really respond after that.” 

Senior forward Favour Nwaedozi recorded a double-double for the Bulldogs with 21 points and 14 rebounds; both were team highs. 

In the game, the Skyhawks shot 34.2 percent from the field (26-76), 17.9 percent from the 3-point range (5-28) and 73.3 percent from the free-throw line (11-15).  

Senior guard Raven Sims led the Skyhawks in points and rebounds for the second time this season with 16 points and six rebounds. 

The Skyhawks also had two other players score double digits points: freshman guard Olivia Smith with 13 and sophomore guard Tyler Jones with 10. 

Along with the low shooting percentages, another area the Skyhawks struggled in was rebounding. The Skyhawks recorded 34 total rebounds, and the Bulldogs were able to pull down 42 defensive rebounds along with 13 offensive rebounds.

However, there were some positives the Skyhawks can take away from the game. They were able to force 19 turnovers from the Bulldogs, and they shined in the paint, scoring 34 points down low. 

The Skyhawks have another tough challenge ahead of them as they get ready to take on another team from the SEC, the Missouri Tigers. 

McMillan commented on what he wants his team to focus on this week leading up to the game. 

“Attitude and effort. Now we’ve got to be bought in and our effort’s got to be high, and that’s that,” said McMillan.

The Skyhawks will face the Tigers on Thursday, Nov. 12 at 6:30 p.m. in Columbia, Missouri.