Game #22
Lindenwood (14-7, 10-2 OVC)
at UT Martin (9-14, 6-6 OVC)
Match Information:
Date: Thursday, Feb. 6th, 2025
Location: Martin, Tenn.
Venue: Kathleen and Tom Elam Center
Tip-Off: 5:30 p.m. CT
All-Time Series: 3-1
Last Meeting: W, 79-73
Live Stats: Stats
Live Video: Watch

Matchup
Lindenwood women's basketball hits the road for the first time since Jan. 18th as they head to Martin, Tenn. to take on the UT Martin Skyhawks on Thursday, Feb. 6th at 5:30 p.m. CT. Lindenwood went a perfect 4-4 during their most recent home stand and are currently on a five game win streak. The Lions' 11 wins at home this season are the most by any Ohio Valley Conference team.

In a big-time showdown last Saturday, Lindenwood defeated Eastern Illinois by a final score of 57-55 inside Hyland Arena as they moved into a tie for first place in the conference. Justis Odom was one of three different Lions to post double-figures in points leading the Lions with 15. Odom shot 6-13 from the field during their victory while adding three assists and three steals. After her 20-point performance vs. SIUE, Mya Skoff added 11 points while adding four rebounds and four steals. As of Tuesday's results, EIU has taken a one-game lead over the Lions after defeating SIUE.

Head coach Amy Eagan moves to career win 295 after Saturday's victory, just five wins away from her 300th. Eagan has led the Lions to a 14-7 record during the 2024-25 season, their most wins since the 2019-20 season. She has coached a trio of scorers who are averaging over 10 points, and six Lions are averaging over seven points a night.

Through 21 games this season, Lindenwood is averaging 68.3 points per game and have scored over 65 points 15 times this season including in 11 out of their last 13 games. LU's three-point shot has found its rhythm during OVC play as the Lions lead the conference in three-point shooting with a 37.7%. They have made at least six threes in eighth out of their last 10 games.

UT Martin is coached by Kevin McMillan who enters his 15th season in Martin. McMillan is a four-time OVC Coach of the Year selection and has made the NCAA Tournament five times including during the 2023-24 season.

Player to Watch
Brooke Coffey is Lindenwood's third leading scorer after transferring from Illinois State a season ago. Coffey is averaging 10.0 points per game while shooting 48.5% from the field good for first on the team (min. 80 attempts). She is one of three Lions to start all 21 games this season.

Coffey is also Lindenwood's leading rebounder averaging 6.6 a night. During her last games against UT Martin and Tennessee State, Coffey posted two back-to-back double-doubles on her way to the OVC Newcomer of the Week. She averaged 13.5 ppg and 11 rpg vs. TSU and UTM.

OVC Preseason Rankings
The Ohio Valley Conference released their 2024-25 women's basketball preseason predicted order of finish earlier this off-season. Lindenwood was selected to finish seventh after going 7-21 a season ago and 5-13 in conference. 

Lindenwood received 81 points in the preseason poll which put them in seventh heading into the season. This marks the highest ranking for a Lindenwood women's basketball team in their three seasons in the league.

The defending OVC Champions Southern Indiana Screaming Eagle were selected to win the OVC after receiving 20 of the 22 first-place votes for a total of 200 points. UT Martin finished in second (180 points, 2 first-place votes) followed by Eastern Illinois (145) and Tennessee Tech (140). Little Rock rounds out the top five followed by Western Illinois, Lindenwood, SIUE, Morehead State, Tennessee State and SEMO.

The Ohio Valley Conference also selected two 'Players To Watch" from each OVC school to start the upcoming season. Brueggemann and newcomer Coffey were tabbed as Lindenwood's players to watch for the 2024-25 season.

Scouting UT Martin
The Skyhawks are currently on a two-game win streak after beating Little Rock and SEMO last week. As a team, they currently are at a 6-6 OVC record after averaging 66.2 points per game this season. They are shooting 41.9% from the field this season and 30.8% from long-range.

Anaya Brown is UTM's leading scorer after averaging 13.3 points per game and 5.2 rebounds a night. Shae Littleford is the third leading scorer averaging 11.4 ppg while posting a team-high 49 steals. Littleford scored a team-high 22 points vs. Lindenwood earlier this season.

Head Coach: Amy Eagan
Eagan was named head coach of the Lindenwood women's basketball program on March 28, 2023.

In year one under Eagan, the Lions posted a 7-21 record. Lindenwood found itself in many close games, dropping eight contests by seven points or less. The black and gold led the OVC in turnover margin at +3.68. Ellie Brueggemann had an outstanding freshman campaign, averaging 13.8 points per game, which led to second team and all newcomer selections. Makayla Wallace set a new single season program record for steals with 72. She averaged 2.6 steals per game last season, tied for tops in the conference. It also ranked 24th nationally. 
 
Eagan arrives in St. Charles, Mo. after spending three seasons as the head coach of Drury University women's basketball.  Eagan completed her 14th season as a collegiate head coach, as she had stops at Truman State, Ashford, and St. Ambrose.
 
Eagan brings a career mark of 274-151 (.645) to Lindenwood, including four-straight seasons of 23 or more wins.  Eagan has led three schools to the NCAA Division II tournament for a total of five appearances, as well as one NAIA tournament appearance.  Eagan had claimed five conference titles in her 14 years, including three-straight.

Up Next
Lindenwood continues their road trip in Tennessee as they take on the Lady Tigers of Tennessee State on Saturday, Feb. 8th at 1:00 p.m. CT. For more information go to lindenwoodlions.com.