Starting Five - Storylines for the UT Martin Game
1) The Missouri State Lady Bears continue to have success on the boards this season. MSU ranks 11th nationally and 1st in the Missouri Valley Conference with 17.1 offensive rebounds per game, while ranking 2nd in the conference and 45th in the country in total rebound average with 42.3 per game. Missouri State also owns a +8.7 rebound margin, which is third in the conference and top 40 nationally. Rebounding has been an advantage for the Lady Bears over the years, as they have won the rebounding battle 108 times in their last 131 contests.
2) Missouri State has faced a tough challenge in its non-conference slate. The combined record of the teams responsible for MSU's four losses this season own a combined record of 34-7, including two wins over Top 20 teams (Middle Tennessee defeated #18 Louisville, Toledo defeated #14 Michigan). The average NET ranking of those four teams is 43 with all ranking inside the top 65 in the NET.
3) With their win at TCU, Missouri State now has at least one victory over a Power Five school in 10 consecutive seasons, with 18 such wins over that span. The Lady Bears are 10-8 against such teams since the beginning of the 2019-20 season.
4) Fifth-year senior
Sydney Wilson continues to move her way up the career victories list at MSU. With three wins so far this season, Wilson now has 102 for her Lady Bear career which is tied for third in program history alongside Tina Robbins (1991-94). Melody Howard (1991-94) is next on the list at No. 2 with 104 career victories.
5) Sophomore and JUCO transfer
Indya Green was named the Missouri Valley Conference Newcomer of the Week on Dec. 12 for her 12-point, 14-rebound performance at TCU. The honor marked the first of her career. She leads the team with three double-doubles and 57 total rebounds on the season.
Series History
Missouri State and UT Martin have never met in the programs' histories.
The Opponent
UT Martin returns four starters from a year ago, while also welcoming nine newcomers to the mix for the 2022-23 season. The Skyhawks are 4-6 to begin the season and are coming off a 67-61 victory at South Dakota on Wednesday. Saturday's game in Springfield will be UTM's fourth-straight road contest, with the Skyhawks owning a 2-2 record on the road this season.
Of those who have played in at least half of UTM's games this season, Sharnecce Currie-Jelks leads the way with 13.8 points and 6.5 rebounds per game, while shooting 54% from the field. Paige Pipkin is also averaging in double figures with 11.1 ppg, while freshman Kenley McCarn is posting 19.8 ppg and 4.3 rpg in four games played this season. Seygan Robins leads UT Martin with 22 three-point baskets and is shooting 47% from behind the arc.
As a team, the Skyhawks are averaging 62.6 points and 29.0 rebounds per game, while owning a -7.8 rebounding margin. UTM is shooting .413 from the field, .344 from three-point range and .782 from the charity stripe.
