NASHVILLE, Tenn. (AP) — Heather Butler scored 35 points and Tennessee Martin won a second straight Ohio Valley Conference tournament championship and automatic berth in the NCAAs by beating Tennessee Tech 82-65 Saturday.
Tennessee Martin (23-8) upset Tennessee Tech a year ago for its first trip to the NCAA tournament. This time around, the Skyhawks came in as the OVC regular-season champs, and they beat Tennessee Tech for the second time this season.
Jasmine Newsome added 26 points as the Skyhawks shot 52.7 percent (29 of 55) and hit 10 of 20 beyond the arc.
Tennessee Tech (17-16) was looking for its 11th NCAA berth and led by as much as six twice in the second half. The Golden Eagles couldn’t hang on. Tacarra Hayes scored 23 points, and Jala Harris added 10.
