GAME NOTES: Ohio Valley Conference action will take place this evening at the Gentry Center when they Tennessee State Tigers get set to host the Tennessee- Martin Skyhawks. The last time the Skyhawks were on the floor the team snapped a five-game losing skid with a strong, 63-49 victory over Samford. Tennessee State is 6-9 on the year, but on the road the team is much worse, posting a meager 1-7 ledger away from home. It does not get any better for UTM, as the team will be on the road for four of its next six games. As for the Tigers, they have lost three of their last five games, including a tough, 92-88 setback to Murray State this past Saturday. TSU is just 2-1 at home this season and is an even 2-2 in league play. In regard to the all-time series between the teams on the hardwood, the Tigers have a solid, 25-17 edge over UT-Martin.

The Skyhawks come into this game shooting a mere 41.8 percent from the field, but despite the low shooting effort the team is averaging a solid 76.3 ppg. Lester Hudson has been outstanding on the season, pouring in a whopping 26.7 ppg, while also grabbing 7.6 rpg. Marquis Weddle has also done well for UTM this year, as the guard is netting 16.1 ppg. Dominating the play in the paint has been Gerald Robinson, who is posting 14.5 ppg to go along with a team-best 8.8 rpg. The last time UT-Martin was on the court the team only tallied 63 points, but it was a strong enough effort to grab a 14-point win over Samford. In the victory, the Skyhawks shot 52.0 percent from the field and committed just 10 turnovers. Weddle led the way with 17 points for UTM, while Djero Riedewald added 15 points. As for Hudson, he was held to just 13 points in the win. However, the guard also grabbed five rebounds, dished out six assists and collected seven steals.

The Tigers' main problem this season has been the team's effort at the defensive end of the floor, as the squad is surrendering 79.2 ppg, while allowing the opposition to shoot 48.7 percent from the field. The last time TSU was on the court, the team's issues defensively were once again on display, as the squad surrendered a whopping 92 points in a loss to Murray State. The terrible defensive effort ruined a strong offensive performance by the Tigers, as the team tallied 88 points. Bruce Price, who is leading the squad with 20.3 ppg and 5.5 apg, was the main source of offense against Murray State, as the guard poured in 28 points and dished out eight assists. Jerrell Houston added 16 points and 11 rebounds for TSU, while LaDarious Weaver and Reiley Ervin both contributed 14 points apiece.

If the Tigers can get a grip on their defensive problems, they have enough offense to compete with any team in the OVC. Expect Tennessee State to score enough points to slip past UT-Martin in this one.