MACOMB, Ill. — In a thrilling matchup, Tarence Guinyard delivered an impressive performance, scoring a personal-best 31 points as UT Martin triumphed over Western Illinois with a score of 85-83 in overtime on Thursday night.

Guinyard’s contribution didn’t stop at scoring; he also recorded four steals for the Skyhawks, who improved their overall record to 7-9 and their conference standings to 3-2 in the Ohio Valley Conference. Supporting Guinyard, Vladimer Salaridze contributed 17 points, showcasing strong shooting by making 5 of his 9 attempts from the floor and hitting 7 of 8 from the charity stripe. Salaridze also pulled down 10 rebounds and had four steals, demonstrating his all-around capabilities. Matija Zuzic added to the team’s offensive effort with a notable performance, converting 5 out of 7 three-point attempts to finish with a total of 16 points.

On the opposing side, the Leathernecks (8-8, 2-3) were led by Ryan Myers, who scored 19 points. Sean Smith also had a notable impact on the game, contributing 17 points along with seven rebounds, four assists, and two steals. Additionally, Marko Maletic added 16 points, along with four steals, making significant contributions to the Leathernecks’ offense.

This closely contested game showcased both teams’ efforts, but ultimately, it was UT Martin’s ability to perform in crucial moments that led them to victory in overtime.