CHARLESTON, Ill. — In an intense matchup on Saturday night, Afan Trnka scored 18 points, leading UT Martin to a close victory over Eastern Illinois, with a final score of 72-68.
Trnka showcased his all-around game by contributing nine assists and three steals for the Skyhawks, who improved their season record to 12 wins and 15 losses, including 8 wins and 8 losses in the Ohio Valley Conference. Vladimer Salaridze had a notable performance as well, scoring 16 points with a shooting accuracy of 50%. He made six of 12 shots from the field, including two of six from beyond the arc, and was successful on two of four free-throw attempts while grabbing 12 rebounds. Tarence Guinyard also played a significant role, finishing the game with 13 points, shooting 50% from the field, and making one of four attempts from three-point range.
For the Panthers, Nakyel Shelton emerged as the top scorer, achieving an impressive 25 points. Artese Stapleton contributed significantly with 16 points and recorded three steals for Eastern Illinois. Additionally, Zion Fruster provided solid support, finishing with 13 points, four assists, and three steals.
Looking ahead, UT Martin is set to take on Tennessee State at home on Tuesday. Meanwhile, Eastern Illinois will travel to face Southern Indiana on Thursday.
