Jan. 25, 2010

Box Score

MARTIN, Tenn. - The SIUE men's basketball team couldn't overcome a poor shooting night, falling to UT Martin 68-52 Monday night at the Elam Center.

SIUE, 3-17, shot just 38.5 percent from the floor (20-52) for the game, including 9-26 in the first half.

After trailing 33-26 at half, the Cougars cut the UT Martin lead to four (39-35) on a jumper by Aamir McCleary with 16:20 left in the game. From there, the Skyhawks went on a 15-0 run over the next 6:59 to extend their lead to 19. UT Martin, 3-16, pushed their lead to 20 on a three-pointer by Marquis Weddle, one of five the junior hit during the game. SIUE got as close as 12 with 2:46 to play before UT Martin extended it out again.

Weddle led all scorers with 25 points. He was 5-7 from three-point range.

Mark Yelovich led SIUE with 20 points and five rebounds. It is the fifth time this year that Yelovich has scored more than 20 points. The sophomore had 13 of the team's 26 points in the first half. McCleary finished with 18 points and five rebounds. McCleary hit a season-high four three-pointers. He was 4-8 from three-point range. McCleary finished with four assists to move into 10th place all-time on SIUE's career assist list.

The Cougars will stay on the road, to face OVC member Murray State Wednesday night. It is the second meeting between the Cougars and Racers. Murray State beat SIUE Dec. 30 at the Vadalabene Center.

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