UT Martin defeats Champ Christian 96-52
UT Martin Dominates Champ Christian in Statement Win
The Kathleen and Tom Elam Center was the stage for a resounding victory as UT Martin took down visiting Champ Christian 96-52 on Sunday evening.
The home team came out strong, setting the tone from the opening whistle. By halftime, they had built a commanding lead of 48-34, leaving little doubt about the outcome. The second half saw no change in momentum for UT Martin, as they continued to dominate their opponents with ease.
At the center of the storm was AJ Hopkins, who led the way with 21 points, 7-9 from beyond the arc, and a remarkable 70.0% shooting efficiency from the field. His performance was well-supported by Pedro Santos, who chipped in with 11 rebounds, 12 points, and two assists.
For Champ Christian, Kris Barnett emerged as the lone bright spot, scoring 14 points on 6 of 18 shooting. However, it was not enough to stem the tide against a UT Martin team that played with an air of confidence and cohesion.
The numbers told a similar story. UT Martin's field goal percentage was a respectable 45.0%, while Champ Christian struggled at just 28.0%. The home team also outrebounded their opponents 65-28, including 23 on the offensive glass.
In contrast to the dominance of UT Martin, Champ Christian's performance was marked by inconsistency and turnover issues. They committed 17 turnovers, which ultimately led to 19 points for UT Martin off turnovers.
As the final buzzer sounded, it was clear that this was a statement win for UT Martin. With their victory, they demonstrated their ability to compete against top-tier opponents and emerge victorious. For Champ Christian, the road ahead will be much tougher as they look to regroup and refocus.
Game Stats
UT Martin (HOME)
* Field Goals: 35/78 (45.0%)
* 2-Point FG: 23/44 (52.3%)
* 3-Point FG: 12/34 (35.0%)
* Free Throws: 14/20 (70.0%)
* Rebounds: 65
* Assists: 23
* Turnovers: 16
* Steals: 14
* Blocks: 6
* Total Fouls: 7
Champ Christian (AWAY)
* Field Goals: 19/67 (28.0%)
* 2-Point FG: 11/32 (34.4%)
* 3-Point FG: 8/35 (23.0%)
* Free Throws: 6/6 (100.0%)
* Rebounds: 28
* Assists: 12
* Turnovers: 17
* Steals: 12
* Blocks: 1
* Total Fouls: 16